Thousands of Protesters Gather in US Cities After Dallas Shooting

— -- Thousands of protesters took to the streets throughout the country Friday for a second night in the wake of two controversial fatal police shootings that have sparked outrage around the country.

They also came a night after five officers were killed and another seven injured in an ambush-style shooting in Dallas during a protest there.

Gatherings took place in Atlanta, Los Angeles, Houston, Nashville, Phoenix, New York, and Washington D.C., among other cities, and were described as "peaceful" by participants and observers.

In Atlanta, protesters blocked a major highway that runs through the city, creating traffic delays. Police formed a line in front of them and dozens of cop cars with lights flashing were behind the officers.

The police presence in Atlanta was also very visible and prominent.

Tensions were heightened in Atlanta in the wake of the death of a man who was found hanging in Piedmont Park. The death was ruled a suicide by police, but many speculated it was a hanging, insisting that the Ku Klux Klan was involved.

The Atlanta Police Department denied the involvement of the Ku Klux Klan, but Mayor Kasim Reed nevertheless referred the case to the FBI.

"Everything we have seen suggests that there was no foul play involved, but I want to state clearly and unequivocally that we will not prejudge the circumstances surrounding this young man's death," Reed said. "APD will share all evidence discovered in the course of the investigation. We ask for the public’s support and cooperation as we work to resolve this matter."

Reed also admonished protesters for disturbing traffic tonight on Twitter by saying, "We are better than that."

In Chicago, demonstrators protested police brutality of African-Americans in front of President Barack Obama's Chicago home.

In Los Angeles, there were several peaceful and uneventful protests.

Protesters also filled the streets in Phoenix, where a social justice march headed to the city's police headquarters. There, police wearing tactical gear sprayed protesters with pepper spray in an effort to keep them from blocking highway route I-10.

In Philadelphia, an energized group of demonstrators filled the streets, some carrying banners that read, "It is our duty to fight for our freedom."

Protesters chanted the words "black lives matter" in front of the White house this afternoon, and again took to the streets of New York City.

Protesters also gathered this evening at City Hall in Oakland, California, to voice solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement, and voice criticisms of police brutality and police shootings.

There, red paint was smeared on the broken door of an administration building, according to Bay Area affiliate ABC-7, and five people were arrested for allegedly smashing windows and throwing bottles at officers.

In nearby San Francisco, demonstrators also took to the streets, descending upon city hall.