Plans for the centre have been controversial locally and the project has been dubbed "Cop City" by opponents

Plans for the centre have been controversial locally and the project has been dubbed "Cop City" by opponents.

In a statement, Emory said that outside protesters were later joined by "members of the Emory community" and that the group was "disrupting the university as our students finish classes and prepare for finals".

Several dozen were arrested, the university said, but declined to give exact numbers or say if any had been charged with crimes.

Atlanta Police said that they used chemical irritants but denied reports that they fired rubber bullets at protesters.

Plans for the centre have been controversial locally and the project has been dubbed "Cop City" by opponents.

In a statement, Emory said that outside protesters were later joined by "members of the Emory community" and that the group was "disrupting the university as our students finish classes and prepare for finals".

Several dozen were arrested, the university said, but declined to give exact numbers or say if any had been charged with crimes.

Atlanta Police said that they used chemical irritants but denied reports that they fired rubber bullets at protesters.