After Protests, Georgia To Build Fence Around State Capitol

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October 7th, 2020

A Georgia Building Authority employee paints sample sections of a fence outside the Georgia state Capitol on Wednesday in Atlanta. Gov. Brian Kemp has approved a plan to spend $5 million to ring the block holding the Capitol with a fence and make other security improvements after months of periodic protests. The Republican governor says the fence is needed, but Democrats and those aligned with protesters say it shows a government afraid of its own people.

Jeff Amy / Associated Press

After months of periodic protests at Georgia’s state Capitol aimed at reforming police and removing Confederate statues, Gov. Brian Kemp has approved a plan to put up a tall metal fence around the building.

Democrats swiftly condemned the plan, saying it shows a Republican leadership afraid of its own people.

“To ensure the safety of state employees, protect the public and prevent damage to state property, the Department of Public Safety and the Georgia Building Authority recommended numerous improvements to a number of state buildings,” said Cody Hall, a spokesperson for Kemp. “The governor agreed with their assessment.”

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