MLK’s Vision Lives On in Atlanta’s Fight Against New Police Training Facility
TruthoutJan 17, 2023
On Wednesday, a Georgia state trooper was shot and wounded after a protester fired shots during an operation near a proposed 85-acre Atlanta Police Department training facility. The gunman was shot and killed when police returned fire.
Environmental activists have camped out in the forest area where Atlanta’s $90M police training center is slated to be constructed. The wooded area referred to as “Cop City” has seen many confrontations between law enforcement and protesters since it was approved in 2021.
"Cop City" is an overwhelming physical manifestation of the racism and general oppression that stains Georgia. Law enforcement at the federal, state, and local levels has been terrorizing Black residents for decades. Police continue to do so with "task forces" that threaten and criminalize protesters — even environmental protesters in this case.
Militant left-wing protesters have been occupying the grounds of the planned police training facility and are now acting on their dangerous rhetoric. A police officer was shot and nearly killed at the hands of what should be characterized as domestic terrorists who target law enforcement. This violence must be stopped and officers must feel safe while training and serving their communities.