ATLANTA -- Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin was less than a minute into her speech at the official closing ceremony of one of the city’s oldest fire stations when she was booed and shouted down by protesters.

“I decided it was important for me to come as the mayor of this city to add my thanks to those who have served at station number seven,” said Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin.

One protester yelled “What about the children?” while others chanted “Save Number Seven.”

Many protesters believe closing the station, located on Whitehall Street in southwest Atlanta, will put residents at risk and possibly create a delayed response time for emergencies.

“Now you know what’s going to happen, these ladies and gentlemen have never seen the Philadelphia side of me; I’m going to come over there and have the conversation,” said Franklin to the crowd of angry protesters.

WATCH: Atlanta Mayor Goes Head To Head With Angry Crowd

But the crowd wasn’t in a mood to talk.

“Why fire station seven; why this community?” said a protester. “This is wrong!”

“The easy thing for me to do was not to come. I chose to come because I understand your frustration. I am disappointed we don’t have all the funds we need too,” said Franklin.