Minority conservative leaders condemn violence and vandalism after Atlanta police protest

A group of minority conservative leaders is condemning the violence that broke out in Atlanta during anti-police protests that triggered a state of emergency in Georgia.

The violence was sparked when a person protesting a new police training center shot an officer and was in turn killed.

The group, Concerned Communities for America, issued a statement last week from its executive director, DaQuawn Bruce, criticizing the protests.

"The violent attacks against the City of Atlanta and its citizens were perpetrated by outsiders with no connection to the local community," Bruce said. "Their actions were worse than futile, and will only make life worse for the people of Atlanta."

Protesters have been demonstrating against the creation of a new police training center set to open later this year.

On Jan. 19, protester Manuel Teran shot a state trooper and was subsequently killed in an exchange of fire. Subsequent demonstrations turned violent, resulting in multiple arrests. Georgia Republican Gov. Brian Kemp declared a state of emergency until Feb. 9 in response to the violence.