Lt. Gov. Burt Jones said Thursday that his home and district office in Jackson were targeted by hoax calls known as “swatting,” continuing a troubling trend of anonymous attacks against politicians in Georgia and elsewhere.“Last night, my home was ‘swatted.’ This morning, a bomb threat was called to my office. Thankfully everyone is safe, and I commend our local law enforcement officers for their professionalism,” Jones said in a post on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter. “Let me be clear — I will not be intimidated by those attempting to silence me. We will put an end...…Lt. Gov. Burt Jones said Thursday that his home and district office in Jackson were targeted by hoax calls known as “swatting,” continuing a troubling trend of anonymous attacks against politicians in Georgia and elsewhere.“Last night, my home was ‘swatted.’ This morning, a bomb threat was called to my office. Thankfully everyone is safe, and I commend our local law enforcement officers for their professionalism,” Jones said in a post on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter. “Let me be clear — I will not be intimidated by those attempting to silence me. We will put an end...WW…

Last month, dozens of protesters squared off against 50 police officers in riot gear at the state Capitol and began to chant.“Tear down Gordon! Tear down Gordon!”The target of their ire was the regal figure of Confederate Gen. John Brown Gordon, a former Georgia governor, senator and a white supremacist who is generally regarded as a state leader of the Ku Klux Klan in the years following the Civil War.The statue depicts Gordon in his Confederate uniform astride his horse, and has held a prominent spot on the statehouse lawn since its unveiling 113 years ago to a throng of white Atlantans...…Last month, dozens of protesters squared off against 50 police officers in riot gear at the state Capitol and began to chant.“Tear down Gordon! Tear down Gordon!”The target of their ire was the regal figure of Confederate Gen. John Brown Gordon, a former Georgia governor, senator and a white supremacist who is generally regarded as a state leader of the Ku Klux Klan in the years following the Civil War.The statue depicts Gordon in his Confederate uniform astride his horse, and has held a prominent spot on the statehouse lawn since its unveiling 113 years ago to a throng of white Atlantans...WW…

Americans have seen it time and again in recent months on the nightly news: Protesters in the streets confronted by local police officers carrying assault rifles, some atop armored vehicles, looking more like soldiers than public servants.Much of that equipment has trickled down to police departments from a controversial Defense Department initiative known as the 1033 program, a 30-year-old federal initiative that provides a way for the military to dispose of surplus equipment by sending it to local police.The impact on policing has been huge. In Georgia alone, police departments and...…Americans have seen it time and again in recent months on the nightly news: Protesters in the streets confronted by local police officers carrying assault rifles, some atop armored vehicles, looking more like soldiers than public servants.Much of that equipment has trickled down to police departments from a controversial Defense Department initiative known as the 1033 program, a 30-year-old federal initiative that provides a way for the military to dispose of surplus equipment by sending it to local police.The impact on policing has been huge. In Georgia alone, police departments and...WW…

Protesters from the left and right ends of America’s political divide squared off for hours Saturday in the city of Stone Mountain arguing, and at times fighting, over race, politics and the massive granite carving of Confederate leaders in the adjacent state park.The protest drew dozens of heavily armed from around the state, neighboring states, and as far away as Arkansas. They were motivated by the taunting of the leader of an who marched on Stone Mountain Park July 4, but they also expressed their rage over the removal of Confederate monuments, shared conspiracy theories, and voiced...…Protesters from the left and right ends of America’s political divide squared off for hours Saturday in the city of Stone Mountain arguing, and at times fighting, over race, politics and the massive granite carving of Confederate leaders in the adjacent state park.The protest drew dozens of heavily armed from around the state, neighboring states, and as far away as Arkansas. They were motivated by the taunting of the leader of an who marched on Stone Mountain Park July 4, but they also expressed their rage over the removal of Confederate monuments, shared conspiracy theories, and voiced...WW…

It’s hard to stand out when you are in a sea of thousands of frustrated, sign-waving protesters. But in marches and demonstrations over the past week in Atlanta, Decatur and even Cumming, a small knot of charismatic young people kept getting photographed.They said they were Black Panthers, and they looked the part with all-black attire and black berets adorned with a cat-head patch. Their leader was a tall, thin black woman armed with an assault rifle and a determined look. Photos of the group popped up in local news outlets, including , but also in the British tabloid press."Armed...…It’s hard to stand out when you are in a sea of thousands of frustrated, sign-waving protesters. But in marches and demonstrations over the past week in Atlanta, Decatur and even Cumming, a small knot of charismatic young people kept getting photographed.They said they were Black Panthers, and they looked the part with all-black attire and black berets adorned with a cat-head patch. Their leader was a tall, thin black woman armed with an assault rifle and a determined look. Photos of the group popped up in local news outlets, including , but also in the British tabloid press."Armed...WW…

A Georgia state representative running for Congress is facing criticism from across the political spectrum for a photo showing him alongside a longtime white supremacist activist from Dahlonega.The photo shows Rep. r, R-Tiger, with Chester Doles, a Georgia man with longstanding ties to numerous white supremacist organizations, including the National Alliance and Hammerskins, a racist skinhead gang. It was taken earlier this year at a meeting of American Patriots USA, a group founded by Doles last year in an attempt to appeal to more mainstream conservatives in the region. Other...…A Georgia state representative running for Congress is facing criticism from across the political spectrum for a photo showing him alongside a longtime white supremacist activist from Dahlonega.The photo shows Rep. r, R-Tiger, with Chester Doles, a Georgia man with longstanding ties to numerous white supremacist organizations, including the National Alliance and Hammerskins, a racist skinhead gang. It was taken earlier this year at a meeting of American Patriots USA, a group founded by Doles last year in an attempt to appeal to more mainstream conservatives in the region. Other...WW…

More than a year later, a Middle Georgia couple has been arrested for their alleged role in the Jan. 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol riot.Charles Hand III and Mandy Robinson Hand, both of Butler, were arrested by FBI agents Friday after a combination of tips, surveillance and documentary footage, Facebook posts, and electronic signatures from their mobile phones led them to the Taylor County couple. They each are charged with four misdemeanors, including entering a restricted building, disorderly conduct and unlawful demonstrating at the Capitol.According to court records, the Hands were captured on...…More than a year later, a Middle Georgia couple has been arrested for their alleged role in the Jan. 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol riot.Charles Hand III and Mandy Robinson Hand, both of Butler, were arrested by FBI agents Friday after a combination of tips, surveillance and documentary footage, Facebook posts, and electronic signatures from their mobile phones led them to the Taylor County couple. They each are charged with four misdemeanors, including entering a restricted building, disorderly conduct and unlawful demonstrating at the Capitol.According to court records, the Hands were captured on...WW…

The leader of a private paramilitary group that provided security for said he has formed alliances with other far-right groups to advocate for Georgia’s secession from the union, following the arrests of participants in the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.“The way patriots are now being hunted down and arrested by fellow men and women who have taken the same oath has disheartened any faith I had in the redemption or reformation of the USA as one entity,” Justin Thayer, head of the Georgia III% Martyrs, said in a text exchange with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution this week.Thayer...…The leader of a private paramilitary group that provided security for said he has formed alliances with other far-right groups to advocate for Georgia’s secession from the union, following the arrests of participants in the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.“The way patriots are now being hunted down and arrested by fellow men and women who have taken the same oath has disheartened any faith I had in the redemption or reformation of the USA as one entity,” Justin Thayer, head of the Georgia III% Martyrs, said in a text exchange with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution this week.Thayer...WW…