Georgia National Guard troops prepare to enforce a 9:00 pm curfew as demonstrators chant, Tuesday, June 2, 2020, in Atlanta.

Georgia National Guard troops prepare to enforce a 9:00 pm curfew as demonstrators chant, Tuesday, June 2, 2020, in Atlanta. / AP

Gov. Brian Kemp says he does not see the need for now to call up more National Guard troops or deploy additional law enforcement officers to prevent protests over the death of George Floyd in Minnesota from turning violent.

Kemp said he understood why people were upset, citing the coronavirus pandemic and “sky high” unemployment in addition to Floyd’s death. But he condemned the widespread vandalism and looting that broke out in Atlanta after a peaceful demonstration on Friday.

Kemp has authorized up to 3,000 National Guard troops to be deployed to cities across the state, and sent state police to reinforce law enforcement in Atlanta.

The governor also said there would be heavy police presence in Brunswick on Thursday, where two white men will have a court hearing in the shooting death of Ahmaud Arbery, which has renewed calls for hate crimes legislation in Georgia.

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