The recent violent protest in Atlanta against the construction of a police training center highlights the lack of progress made by the radical left since last year’s Black Lives Matter protests and the January 6 Capitol insurrection.

Regardless of the claimed justification, violence and destruction under the guise of civil disobedience rarely achieve the kind of societal or political change sought by instigators.

The city of Atlanta is investing $90 million to build an 85-acre training facility in a wooded area, but some radical-left protesters object to the tree clearance involved. Others are branding the site “Cop City” and argue that the training center is symbolic of police oppression.

They liken it to the Georgia-based School of the Americas, where the United States trained Latin American military officers loyal to dictatorial regimes, many of whom were linked to human rights abuses.

Protesters contend that the police-training center would lead to further oppression of minorities, including Blacks and Latinos. It’s important to note that there are alternative viewpoints, including those who support the construction of the training center and believe it will improve public safety and enhance police-community relations.

Like other radical movements, the claims made by the Atlanta protesters against the construction of a police training center are baseless. Mayor Andre Dickens, who is Black, emphasized that the facility would educate officers on de-escalation techniques, mental health, community policing, and civil rights history.

The sprawling site is necessary for the effective delivery of this training. However, radical protesters launched violent attacks on the construction vehicles, police officers, and the facility itself.

This resulted in the death of a protester in January and the injury of a Georgia state trooper.

The police arrested 23 protesters on Sunday and charged them with domestic terrorism. Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum denounced the protesters’ actions, noting that their intention was to harm law enforcement officers by throwing explosives, rocks, and fireworks at them.

Regardless of the outcome of the trial, the recent violent protest against the police training center in Atlanta has caused serious damage on the political front. It has given justification to the radical right, who use events like this to recruit more like-minded individuals and promote their agenda of fighting leftist radicalism. The violence and destruction at the protest will likely be used as evidence to support the radical right’s narrative.

As a result, both sides are becoming more vocal and are driving a wedge between America’s moderate middle. The escalation of violence and division among Americans is a major concern, and it is important to find ways to bridge the gap and bring people together.