DeKalb solicitor drops charges against reporter arrested at protest
By ZOE SEILER zoe@appenmedia.com
DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — DeKalb County Solicitor General Donna Coleman-Stribling has dismissed charges against journalist Mario Guevara. He was arrested June 14 during a protest on Chamblee Tucker Road.
While not billed as a "No Kings" protest, an event in Embry Hills – called the "Atlanta Protest Against Deportation" – held on the same day as the "No Kings" protests led to a clash between protesters and DeKalb County Police officers. It resulted in eight arrests, including Guevara.
A Salvadoran journalist, Guevara, was filming the protest when Doraville Police arrested him. He was taken into U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody shortly after and is still being held by ICE, according to NPR.
In DeKalb County, Guevara was charged with unlawful assembly, obstruction of a law enforcement officer, and pedestrian on or along the roadway, according to a press release.
"After carefully reviewing the evidence, including video evidence surrounding his arrest, I have determined that while there was probable cause to support the initial arrest, the evidence is insufficient to sustain a prosecution beyond a reasonable doubt," ColemanStribling said.
Law enforcement agencies directed Guevara multiple times during the interaction, and they were also directing the assembled crowds. Video evidence shows Guevara was generally complying and doesn't demonstrate the intent to disregard the directives from officers.
"Given the lack of clear criminal intent by Mr. Guevara to ignore any lawful commands, the case is dismissed as charged," the press release says.
According to Atlanta Civic Circle, Guevara was set to be released on a signature bond June 16, but he was held at the DeKalb County Jail on an ICE detainer until June 18. He is being held at the Folkston ICE Processing Center in south Georgia.
Guevara is originally from El Salvador. He has lived in the United States for about 20 years and built a following covering immigrant communities in the state for Spanish-language media outlets, as well as MG News, his own independent outlet, NPR reported.
Some DeKalb County residents criticized the arrest and called on DeKalb County to review the police actions from June 14. Commissioner Ted Terry has also called for a review.
Resident Mike Edmonds, who attended the June 14 protest, made a public comment during the County Commis-
the county's response to peaceful civil action."
He suggested the county administration consider hosting a public briefing or town hall to address resident concerns "and begin the work of restoring trust."
"These are tense times, and our community deserves transparency and accountability, especially when law enforcement actions may have overstepped," he wrote.
Other journalists speak out
The Committee to Protect Journalists and other press freedom organizations sent a letter June 20 to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.
The Georgia First Amendment Foundation and the Atlanta Press Club were among the signatories on the letter, according to Atlanta Civic Circle.
The letter calls for Guevara's release and raises major concerns about freedom of the press.
sion meeting June 24.
"This was a peaceful protest. It couldn't have been more calmer or more professional," Edmonds said.
He claimed that no police leadership was present.
"Had one person with authority and some composure taken a lead, everything could've come out differently," Edmonds said. "Finally, as a result of that lack of leadership, there was an unreasonable use of force that was totally inappropriate in the circumstances."
Edmonds said it was not a rowdy crowd.
"Eventually, lines of police officers dressed like military people came trotting out in form and they stood in front of everybody. I was aghast,” he said. “It was totally beyond what was required. Then they marched into the crowd, they used their shields to push people."
'State intimidation'
DeKalb resident Jimmy Padilla also said he was appalled by what happened June 14. He said protesters gathered peacefully but were met with numerous squad cars, a police bus, officers in riot gear and tear gas.
"Peaceful protests became state intimidation," Padilla said.
He added that other journalists were not treated in the same manner.
"That wasn't just a violation of our rights, that was censorship of local Spanish language media," Padilla said.
DeKalb County Chief Executive Officer Lorraine Cochran-Johnson initially defended the police department's actions before announcing her review of the ar -
rests. Her office said protesters entered Chamblee Tucker Road and "attempted to march toward the interstate ramp, creating a dangerous situation for both demonstrators and motorists."
Cochran-Johnson said officers were trying to protect the public and the rights of the protesters.
"The right to protest is fundamental and respected in DeKalb County," she said. "But when a protest shifts from peaceful and law-abiding to one that threatens public safety and disregards lawful orders, I trust our officers to respond appropriately. Our duty is to protect both the rights of individuals and the well-being of the broader community."
Padilla called on CEO CochranJohnson to look into the police activity June 14.
"Lorraine Cochran Johnson, you first repeated the police narrative [of] unbelievable claims, dismissing hundreds of eyewitnesses, now you call for a transparent review, but words alone won't rebuild trust," Padilla said.
Commissioner Ted Terry forwarded Appen Media an email he sent to Chief Operating Officer Zach Williams asking for more information about the incident.
"Several residents have contacted my office expressing deep concern over what they perceived as an unnecessarily aggressive police response to what appeared to be a brief moment of disruption," he wrote. "The decision to deploy tear gas – particularly in a neighborhood context with nearby homes and businesses – raises serious questions about the proportionality and justification of
"If Guevara's case proceeds, it would represent a grim erosion of both freedom of the press and the rule of law," the letter says. "Journalists who are not U.S. citizens could be at risk of deportation solely because local law enforcement filed misdemeanor charges against them in retaliation for reporting without those charges ever being tried in court."
Atlanta Civic Circle reported that the Committee to Protect Journalists called on Cochran-Johnson to release Guevara June 17.
Cochran-Johnson responded that "it is important to note, members of the press are required to honor all aspects of law when they engage in protests –there is no pass or immunity given to members of the press due to wearing signage or announcing themselves as members of the press."
She added that DeKalb County Police were not involved in the arrest or charges, and that as CEO, she cannot intervene in legal or immigration matters.
"I cannot unilaterally drop charges or influence the decisions of independent law enforcement bodies, the courts, or U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)," CochranJohnson said. "That said, I recognize the emotional gravity of this case, especially for members of our immigrant and press communities, and I understand the fear that can arise when professional duties intersect with legal vulnerability."
She added that the administration is conducting a full review of the protest and law enforcement responses.
"We are working to publish clear guidelines for future demonstrations that balance First Amendment rights, public safety, and lawful protest protocol," Cochran-Johnson said.
