Protesters smashed windows at the College Football Hall of Fame in downtown Atlanta and damaged a Chick-fil-A restaurant next door to the museum.

Some protesters were seen looting the building before several officers arrived to try to maintain order at the $68 million facility, which opened in 2014 to great fanfare after relocating from South Bend, Ind.

Several hurled garbage cans and other objects through the glass exterior of the building, which hosts football watch parties and other major events. Some then rushed inside to grab anything they could.

Nearby, a Georgia Tech police car burned as protesters chanted: “No justice, no peace.”

>> RELATED: Violence rocks Atlanta as peaceful protest ends in flames

>> PHOTOS: Atlanta rally against police violence draws hundreds, turns violent

>> COMPLETE COVERAGE: Atlanta protests 

>> RELATED: Buckhead stores, restaurants clean up after a night of riots and looting

>> FULL TEXT: Read Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms' plea for her city

>>MINUTE-BY-MINUTE: Peaceful protest turns violent

Protesters outside the College Football Hall of Fame Friday night. The HOF was defaced as crowds broke windows and went inside and took items.

Credit: Ben@bengray.com

icon to expand image

Credit: Ben@bengray.com

About the Author

Keep Reading

Officials at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention expect there won't be enough employee parking at its headquarters on Clifton Road in Atlanta when all workers are required to return to work later this year. ALYSSA POINTER / ALYSSA.POINTER@AJC.COM

Featured

State Rep. Matt Reeves, R-Duluth, introduces himself while attending an AAPI mental health event at Norcross High School on Sunday, Aug. 11, 2024. (Ben Gray for the AJC)

Credit: Ben Gray