by Reina Sultan, Prism
On March 5, during a Stop Cop City “week of action” in Atlanta, organizers held a music festival that drew over 1,000 people, some of whom later joined an action about a mile away at a Cop City construction site. Police arrested about 35 people and jailed 23 of them on domestic terrorism charges. All but one—a legal observer—were denied bond. The arrests, subsequent domestic terrorism charges, and bond denials are the natural continuation of the violent repression of land defenders and, more broadly, radical left groups in Atlanta and beyond.
The police response to the activists attempting to stop Cop City has consistently been violent—as policing always is. On Jan. 18, Georgia State Patrol shot and killed a 26-year-old queer, Indigenous-Venezuelan protester named Manuel “Tortuguita” Terán, whose hands were raised when they were shot. Many who attended the week of action were honoring their memory and continuing their work against the destruction of the forest.
As forest defenders and community members fighting to stop Cop City encounter escalating police violence and state repression, we must continue to resist attempts to expand the definitions of crime. The carceral state will continue to weaponize the legal expansions of crime against those it more consistently oppresses.
The movement to Stop Cop City began two years ago, with organizers most recently holding their fifth week of action that included a march near Weelaunee People’s Park and reoccupying the forest after police raids in January. Weelaunee Forest, originally stolen from the Muscogee Creek people, is at risk because of a planned tactical training compound that would destroy 85 acres of forest for the proliferation of the police state. DeKalb County officials also want to trade away 40 acres of Intrenchment Creek Park—part of Weelaunee Forest—in a land swap to expand Blackhall Studios, a local film studio.
Recent Posts
Teachers Scrambled After ICE Released Tear Gas Outside A Chicago Elementary School
Take Action Now Chicago teachers said they’re dealing with traumatized students in underfunded schools — while the Trump administration spends…
Israel Launches Wave Of Heavy Airstrikes Across Gaza, Killing At Least 45
Take Action Now Reports contradict Israel’s claim that its troops came under attack in Rafah on SundayBy Dave DeCamp, Antiwar.com The…
Bad Bunny Destroys MAGA Backlash During SNL: “If You Don’t Understand Me, You Have Four Months To Learn”
Take Action Now “All Latinos and Latinas all over the world, and here in the United States, all the people who have worked to open doors. More than…
Senators Launch Bipartisan Bid to Block Trump War on Venezuela
Take Action Now “Congress has not authorized military force against Venezuela,” said Sen. Adam Schiff. “And we must assert our authority to stop the…