Midtown Bank Protester Charged With Simple Assault, Obstruction

MIDTOWN, GA — A woman accused of throwing spoiled meat at Atlanta police officers during a protest Wednesday morning at a West Peachtree Street bank is facing charges.

The protest was held around 9 a.m. at the bank. Police said the protesters were demonstrating outside of the entrance and were asked to leave the bank property. Police said the protesters were told to stay on the sidewalk.

"Several protestors began yelling they were not going to move, but the group then began to leave bank property and walk away," police said in a news release.

Police said one of the protesters then dumped a bag of spoiled meat onto the steps of the bank. Several of the protesters were accused of picking up the meat and throwing it in the direction of officers.

Police located one of the people they say threw the meat and took her into custody.

Aidan Wood, 27, of Lansing, Michigan, was charged on suspicion of obstruction and simple assault, police said. She was taken to the Fulton County Jail.

Atlanta Police did not identify the reason for the protest; but, Fox 5 Atlanta said the bank loaned money to the Atlanta Police Foundation. The foundation will be the overseer of the future Atlanta Public Safety Training Center in East Atlanta.

The training center, known to those who oppose it as "Cop City," has been criticized by environmentalists who vow to protect the land on which the future center will rest.

The $90 million project is set to be completed in late 2024.