Viral claim that Atlanta deployed child militia is false.
Claim: Ever since the death of George Floyd, the black man who was killed by the hands of a Minneapolis police officer has resulted in protests in America. A large number of videos and photos of protest happening in America have been going viral. A video of security forces in riot gears has been going viral on various social media platforms with the claim that in the city of Atlanta, child militia has been deployed.
The caption attached to the viral video reads as follow:
The video has been shared by many on Facebook abd has received over 10,000 views.
Many have shared the same on Twitter as well.
Atlanta has deployed a child militia at Lenox Mall fitted with riot shields and batons. What the actual fuck is going on? pic.twitter.com/1PcC7ouRwx
— 🔥🔥🔥. (@Fpjs1Gpso2) May 30, 2020
Wtf America! RT @foxwoundband: Atlanta has deployed a child militia at Lenox Mall fitted with riot shields and batons. What the actual fuck is going on? pic.twitter.com/cToTswQ8Ao
— ‼️‼️‼️ (@No__Halo) May 30, 2020
Atlanta has deployed a child militia at Lenox Mall https://t.co/E07r6Y8Hof via @YouTube
— Lando-Rock (@LandoRock2) May 30, 2020
YouTube
The video with the viral claim has also been shared on YouTube and has received more than 4000 views.
Truth
The viral claim is false. Atlanta police did not deploy child militia. The Atlanta Police Department retweeted the post by GA National Guard that states that to become a service member in the Georgia National Guard, one is required to be 18 year old or 17 years with parents consent. In the tweet it is also added that rumours of them having child soldiers is false.
Major international publications like Snopes and Insider also published articles that state the viral claim is false. Thus, it is proved that officials shown in the video are not underage.
Attached below is the tweet by the GA National Guard’s official twitter handle.
To become a service member
in the Georgia National Guard you are required to be of legal age and that is 18 years old (17 with parents consent). The rumors of us having child Soldiers to assist local law enforcement in protecting lives and property is false. pic.twitter.com/9Eyf1qkdaJ— GA National Guard (@GeorgiaGuard) May 30, 2020
Source: GA National Guard
Given below are the screenshots and links of the articles published by Snopes and Insider.
Source: Snopes
Source: Insider
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