Protesters say their efforts in Atlanta not over yet

ATLANTA — A fifth night of protest is likely in Atlanta, several demonstrators with the Black Lives Matter movement said.

They say their efforts are not over yet.

Several protesters calling for police reform gathered at Woodruff Park and Centennial Olympic Park in downtown Atlanta Sunday. It was the fourth consecutive night protesters took to the streets of Atlanta in response to recent police shootings across the nation.

Protesters who gathered at Woodruff Park joined protesters at Centennial Park and the large group marched through the streets of downtown Atlanta.

Some protesters clashed with state troopers at an interstate entrance at Piedmont and Ellis.

Georgia State Patrol blocked off streets near the state capitol building. Protesters saw the troopers' blockade and headed straight for the line of troopers just before 11 p.m.

Shortly after that, protesters made their way throughout downtown Atlanta, eventually ending at Piedmont Park around 1 a.m. Monday.

Protesters said they were planning their next march for Monday evening at 7 p.m. in Buckhead.

Sunday's events came after recent frustration over the police-involved shootings of Alton Sterling in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and Philando Castile in St. Paul, Minnesota.The aftermath of both shootings were captured on cellphone video.

A sniper opened fire on police officers in Dallas on Thursday as a peaceful protest against police violence came to an end.

Channel 2's Matt Johnson walked with protesters as they moved from Woodruff Park to Centennial Olympic Park in downtown Atlanta.

Atlanta Police Chief George Turner wants protesters who have been marching through the city all weekend to remember something about his officers ahead of more protests planned for Sunday night.

"The men and women out there, they're your brothers and sisters. They are no robots. They sweat just like all of us and when they go home they try to make sure their families are in a good place," Turner said.

Turner gathered some officers for a round table discussion with Ambassador Andrew Young and to also praise the work his department has done so far.

"They done an amazing job. They've had all kinds of insults pushed at them and they've been extremely cool. They've been professional and I'm so proud of the work they've been doing thus far," Turner said.

Turner says his staff has been working 12-hour shifts to make sure the protests remain peaceful.

"All our administration officers, their off days have been pulled for the weekend and they're out here working to make sure they have the appropriate resources to deal with whatever may come up," Turner said.

Cox Media Group