Atlanta Hip-Hop stars, Killer Mike and T.I. joined Mayor Keshia Lance Bottoms emotionally, urging ATLiens not to burn down their city as protests erupted in response to the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and other victims at the hands of law enforcement.
Killer Mike, who is the son of a retired Atlanta city police officer and a social activist, fought back the tears, and he pleaded with peaceful protesters “not to burn your own house down” while also sympathizing with why they feel the way they do.
“I’m the son of an Atlanta city police officer, my cousin is a police officer…I got a lot of love and respect for police officers down to the original eight [Black] police officers in Atlanta that, even after becoming police, had to dress in a YMCA because white officers didn’t want to get dressed with ni**ers.
T.I. also had a viral moment, while his heart was in the right place, Tip got clowned for referring to Atlanta as “Wakanda” while also urging Atlanta protesters to not burn down the city.
Yesterday, when I heard there was a rumor about violent protests in Atlanta, I did what a mother would do: I called my son, and I said, ‘where are you?’