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Hundreds gather in Atlanta for march against racism

ATLANTA — Dozens of groups gathered in Centennial Olympic Park Saturday to march against racism and hate.

The rally is the latest in the response to last weekend's deadly protest in Charlottesville, Virginia.

Georgia Resists, a newly formed coalition of civil and human rights groups, met at Centennial Olympic Park to march to the Martin Luther King National Historic Site "as a show of resistance to hate and white supremacy in Georgia."

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Some speakers called for Confederate memorials to come down. Religious leaders from different faiths ignited the crowd. Everyone paused for a moment of silence for Heather Heyer, the woman who was killed during the violence in Charlottesville.

After meeting in park, the large group began its march.

"Can't just sit at home and do nothing when the things that have been going on have been going on," marcher Alex Ostapie said.

Police and civilians in safety vests blocked off roads.

"This is a human rights issue. This is an issue of dignity and all people of all races should respect that," said Tiffany Roberts, with Black Lives Matter Atlanta.

Once they arrived at the King Center, the groups stood quietly next to King's tomb.

Channel 2's Rikki Klaus walked the route with marchers. The march appeared to be peaceful. Klaus did not see any counterprotesters.

Georgia Resists rally against hate

HAPPENING NOW: Groups begin marching through downtown Atlanta after rally in park ----------- WATCH LIVE: Hundreds of people have gathered in Centennial Olympic Park for a rally and march against racism and hate http://2wsb.tv/2vTt41M

Posted by WSB-TV on Saturday, August 19, 2017