COBB COUNTY, Ga. — Protesters took over several Cobb County restaurants Sunday, prompting confusion and questions from patrons and management.
The group says it was upset over the police shooting death of a man in Smyrna who Cobb County police say drove toward officers Tuesday. Nicholas Thomas' family plans to meet with the police chief Monday.
The protesters targeted three restaurants in Cobb County but customers and workers are not sure if it sent the right message.
Video showed one mother told the protesters inside Another Broken Egg Cafe they were scaring her children.
"Just kind of disconcerting, sitting there eating brunch with your family and somebody comes in making all that noise," said one restaurant patron.
The group targeted the cafe along with Paces and Vine and Canoe during Sunday brunch.
One manager told Channel 2 Action News one customer left with a crying child and two tables left without paying their bills.
"Disrupt traditionally white spaces that maybe are uncomfortable that racism is still a factor in our society," said activist Reed Gallman.
The restaurants are near where Smyrna police shot and killed the 23-year-old. Investigators say he drove toward them.
"Not to anger people or make them think we're hostile but to disrupt the current situation, what is kind of the facade of post-racial America," Gallman said.
People in the restaurants say the message of the protesters was lost because they could not understand what they were saying.
"The cause was good, if they were just a little bit calmer about it. I think have better results," said a restaurant patron.
Members of the organization say they will continue to target businesses until they see change.
WSBTV
