September 7th 2023.
Sixty-one advocates of the 'Stop Cop City' movement in Atlanta have been charged with racketeering after a Georgia state investigation into their protests. The investigation began over two years ago and it has been a source of contention between the activists and law enforcement. The Aug 29th indictment is also another iteration of the state's RICO law that has entangled high-profile individuals such as former president Donald Trump.
The protests have been against the expansive and controversial police training facility in Atlanta. The activists have highlighted the facility's possible negative impact on the local environment and its placement in a predominantly working-class, Black residential area. Unfortunately, the actions of the protestors have been negatively perceived by some, with Republican Attorney General Chris Carr calling the activists “militant anarchists” for the vandalism and violence that has occurred since the movement began.
The charges don't stop at racketeering. Some defendants have also been accused of domestic terrorism, first-degree arson, and money laundering. Tensions between protestors and law enforcement reached a peak after the January killing of 26-year-old activist Manuel Esteban Paez Terán, also known as Tortuguita, during a demonstration.
Critics of the charges, such as attorneys at the Southern Poverty Law Center, believe the accusations promote “heavy-handed law enforcement intervention against protesters.” In light of the complexity of the issue, the DeKalb County District Attorney, Sherry Boston, a Democrat, has withdrawn herself from the prosecuting team.
The Vote to Stop Cop City Coalition continues to gain signatures to authorize a vote for residents to determine the fate of the Atlanta Public Safety Training Center. This is a crucial moment in the history of the movement and its supporters, as they work to continue the fight for justice and a better life for their community.
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