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From the AJC.com:

Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed said Wednesday he will be tough and even sue organizers of any Freaknik-related activities that violate city guidelines.

“We will not be caught off-guard,” Reed said at a news conference to discuss traffic and public safety plans for several scheduled events in the city this weekend.

He added: “We will walk the line between keeping order in our city and welcoming our visitors.”

Two separate groups have plans at private venues throughout metro Atlanta this weekend using variations of the name “Freaknik,” the annual event that began in the early 1980s as a picnic for college students and morphed out of control in the mid-1990s into street parties that clogged traffic and disrespected some women. It ended in 1999.

City officials said there are no permitted Freaknik-related events at outdoor venues. Still, they are preparing for the possibility of large crowds.

In all, the city estimates an additional 300,000 visitors for several events this weekend, such as the Atlanta Dogwood Festival, the Sweetwater 420 Fest, a robotics competition, an Atlanta Braves series and an Atlanta Hawks playoff game.

Reed said the city estimates it will spend anywhere from $125,000 to $300,000 on police and firefighter overtime for all of the activities. A MARTA official said additional rail cars will be on standby. Atlanta police will have traffic plans available on their Web site, http://www.atlantapd.org. Residents with questions can call the city at 404-330-6023.

State transportation officials have agreed not to close two or three northbound traffic lanes on the Downtown Connector for previously scheduled roadwork, the mayor said, which should ease traffic congestion.

Read the full story here.

From Fox 5 Atlanta: