Chaos erupted as rioters attacked a police training center in 'Cop City' Atlanta during a violent protest.

Footage released by Atlanta Police Department shows fireworks being aimed at the police, seen scrambling to close the gates at the Atlanta Public Safety Training Center in Georgia state on March 5.

Another police clip shows an aerial view of what appeared to be a protester column with dozens of people approaching the facility. The rioters were seen apparently vandalising equipment at a construction site.

Before the attack, the protesters had been holding a music festival slamming the controversial construction of the centre in DeKalb County, which critics said would impact the environment and amplify police brutality.

A small group allegedly broke away from the peaceful protest to destroy the construction site.

Thirty-five people were detained, with 23 facing terror charges.

In a statement, Atlanta Police said: 'On March 5, 2023, a group of violent agitators used the cover of a peaceful protest of the proposed Atlanta Public Safety Training Center to conduct a coordinated attack on construction equipment and police officers. They changed into black clothing, entered the construction area, and began throwing large rocks, bricks, Molotov cocktails, and fireworks at police officers.

'The agitators destroyed multiple pieces of construction equipment by fire and vandalism. Multiple law enforcement agencies deployed to the area and detained several people committing illegal activity. 35 agitators have been detained so far.

'The illegal actions of the agitators could have resulted in bodily harm. Officers exercised restraint and used non-lethal enforcement to conduct arrests.

'With protests planned for the coming days, the Atlanta Police Department, in collaboration with law enforcement partners, has a multi-layered strategy that includes reaction and arrest. The Atlanta Police Department asks for this week's protests to remain peaceful.'