DEFEND THE ATLANTA FOREST
DEFEND THE ATLANTA FORESTJan 20, 2023
Amid ongoing environmental and civil rights demonstrations, Atlanta police arrested 35 people on Sunday after protesters allegedly entered and set fire to a construction site of the new Atlanta Public Safety Training Center, dubbed "Cop City" by its opponents.
Organizers and supporters say the clashes occurred during a music festival, alleging there was "indiscriminate police violence" against "Stop Cop City festival-goers." In contrast, police have stated "violent agitators used the cover of a peaceful protest" to launch their attack.
The Atlanta Police Department claims it needs this center to help train police to protect the community while simultaneously shooting and arresting demonstrators. This is simply another example of a bloated government choosing to militarize law enforcement at the expense of the taxpayers who are terrorized by these so-called "public safety" officers. This is a microcosm of the national trend of wasting money on "security" while neglecting the people and land they're supposed to protect.
There is a dire need to boost police morale and resources in the wake of the 2020 George Floyd protests, which is why the duly elected city council voted to approve this new training center. Protesters have also been anything but peaceful. Having thrown homemade bombs and fired at cops, officers have justifiably responded with equal force and arrests. This is about protecting the safety of the public and building capacity among law enforcement public servants.