The Athens-Clarke County Police Department says its internal investigation finds that officers' use of tear gas during a Black Lives Matter protest in May was a reasonable use of force. 18 people were arrested during the May 31 demonstration in downtown Athens.
The Department says it received information about possible looting and violence at the protest, along with the risk of burglaries. He said officers also determined agitators had started intermingling with protesters that night, carrying firearms. ACCPD Lieutenant Harrison Daniels said the crowd violated an emergency curfew, even after a drone repeatedly warned them they were violating the law and could be arrested.