Protesters, local and non-local to the Atlanta area, say this is not just an Atlanta struggle.
This is a developing story and we will continue to report on it as it develops.
ATLANTA—Around 8 a.m. this morning, hundreds of protesters gathered at Gresham Park in Southeast Atlanta to prepare to march to the construction site of “Cop City.” Hundreds have traveled to Atlanta to block construction of the facility, which is one of many tactics in the widespread, diverse movement to halt construction of the proposed $90 million-plus police militarization facility in Weelaunee Forest.
There are reports of heavy police presence at the construction site.
This mass nonviolent direct action, referred to as “Block Cop City,” was announced following Atlanta officials’ refusal to begin the verification process of 116,000 signatures gathered in a petition for the Cop City Vote referendum—an effort within the movement that sought to place the question of Cop City on the ballot. The municipal clerk office, upon receiving boxes of signatures, cited a pending stay on an injunction from the 11th circuit court of appeals as the basis of their refusal to begin the verification process. Critics, including Kurt Kastorf, who is part of the legal team for the referendum, say that the City of Atlanta has no basis in this decision and is not legally required to pause the verification process due to the stay on the injunction filed.
[ Listen to our podcast “From Stop Cop City to Block Cop City: How did we get here?” for more information. ]
Organizers and local residents in the widespread opposition to Cop City say they have attempted to mobilize against the facility through all possible democratic channels the past two or so years, only to be blocked by the city and state at every turn. In September 2021, Atlanta City Council members heard over 17 hours of public comment from Atlanta residents in nearly unanimous opposition to the facility—record-breaking numbers of public comment on any issue—only to swiftly pass the lease agreement without pause. Prior to the vote, organizers were suppressed in voicing their opposition in city council meetings and the Atlanta Police Foundation’s two public input sessions, where residents were met with a 30-minute virtual slideshow and a one-sided Q&A segment.
This year, Atlanta City Council was met with strong opposition from locals in June prior to a vote to increase the budget spending for the facility, which added over $30 million more to the original price tag advertised to residents. Over 1,000 people flooded the halls of Atlanta City Hall in protest of the proposed budget increase and the facility as a whole. Over 15 hours of public comment commenced that day, with only four comments in support of the facility. Atlanta City Council voted in favor of the increased budget at 5:30 a.m. the next morning, with no pause or delay from the day’s proceedings.
Among speakers at Gresham Park this morning was Belkis Terán, mother of Manuel “Tortuguita” Paez Terán, the 26-year-old climate activist who was violently killed by Georgia State Patrol police during a multi-agency raid in the Weelaunee Forest (also known as the South River Forest) on Jan. 18. Later autopsies revealed that Tortuguita was sitting down with their hands up while police shot a barrage of bullets into them. Reports show that Tortuguita sustained 57 bullet wounds from the shooting.
While speaking today before the march, Belkis echoed the words of her son, saying, “To fight the police, we have to be happy.” She says she will be going with others to build a jail vigil and be in prayer in support of those marching on the facility during today’s action.
Sam Beard, a spokesperson for the Block Cop City effort, spoke before the crowd began its march to announced previously established community agreements.
“We will not bring weapons,” Beard says. “We will not bring alcohol or illegal drugs. We will not use incendiary devices or fire, and we will not destroy construction equipment. But we will stay together and we will keep each other safe. We will be brave, smart, and calm. We will practice revolutionary solidarity and not snitch on anyone, or point anyone out to the police.”
Protesters began marching towards the facility just before 10 a.m. We will continue to report on this story as it develops.
