(Image source from: NYMag)

All Out Atlanta, a civil rights watchdog group, on Thursday proclaimed charges were dismissed for all six protesters violently arrested at a July 4 anti-United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency march.

The protesters are preparing to take civil action against the Atlanta Police Department for violating their constitutional rights. After being pulled off the sidewalk, dragged on the pavement and brutalized, the protesters were charged with jaywalking. Police claimed the repression of the march was justified, but eyewitness video shows police abuse.

The co-defendants jointly condemn the police's use of violence to defend the unjust institution of ICE. The interwoven systems of immigration detention and the Atlanta Police are clear: The city of Atlanta contracts with ICE to separate immigrants from their families in the Atlanta City Detention Center, and then sends police to use escalation tactics and force when protesters call attention to this arrangement.

Once the authorities realized the co-defendants intended on pleading not guilty and challenging their charges as a united front, all charges were quickly dropped.

"Seeing my friend Travis beaten bloody was terrifying. After watching the footage over again of Annabelle getting dragged by her ankles off of the sidewalk and into the street, I am personally disgusted with the APD and believe they should be embarrassed and ashamed of themselves. There is no excuse for this." one defendant, Brandon Cosgrove, arrested after trying to film the incidents on the night of July 4, said in a news release.

All Out Atlanta/the protesters are planning an August 21 prison strike in their efforts to abolish ICE.

By Sowmya Sangam