Hello John,
BREAKING: On Wednesday, May 31, the Atlanta Police Department raided a home and arrested three leaders of the Atlanta Solidarity Fund, an organization that has been bailing out and organizing legal funds for protesters opposing the construction of “Cop City.” The three organizers have been charged with money laundering and charity fraud. This is an unprecedented assault on the criminal justice reform movement.
Here’s the thing, John. We know this is an underhanded effort to undermine the tireless efforts of community activists and DeKalb County residents who remain vehemently opposed to the building of the massive multimillion-dollar police training facility known as “Cop City.”
That’s why we’re calling on DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston to intervene. She has the power to put an end to the criminalization of opponents of the project by dropping ALL charges against the Atlanta Solidarity Fund Three and all "Cop City" protesters.
MAKE A CALL: TELL DA SHERRY BOSTON TO DROP THE CHARGES
This isn't just a threat to the Atlanta Solidarity Fund, John. This is very intentional and sends a chilling message to all bail funds, abortion funds and other organized material support for those criminalized by the government.
This is an extreme overreach by the Atlanta Police Department and the Georgia Bureau of Investigations. The Atlanta Solidarity Fund has provided support to demonstrators exercising their First Amendment right to protest. That support includes critical legal defense; jail support to ensure those in police custody have their rights protected during the legal process; and cash bail assistance to those who are unable to pay the unconscionable bonds set by the courts in Atlanta and the metro area.
Arresting and charging these organizers is an intentional effort to disrupt systems of support for the dozens of “Cop City” protesters currently locked up and charged with domestic terrorism.
Call to STOP UNNECESSARY PROSECUTIONS
Thousands of DeKalb County residents and people across the country have gathered in opposition to the Atlanta Police Foundation’s plans for “Cop City.” Yet public officials continue to blatantly disregard their voices and their safety. This is not a new police tactic. During the 2020 uprisings, we saw police officers charge hundreds of protesters for trivial offenses in efforts to quash local demonstrations.1 DA Sherry Boston can take a stand and protect the people of metro Atlanta, but she has remained silent as several “Cop City” protesters have spent months behind bars. We need your help to ensure DA Boston doesn’t ignore this issue.
John, you’re receiving this message because we know you care about freeing “Cop City” protesters. You signed the petition and now we need you to take your support a step further. Can we count on you?
We need you to hold DA Sherry Boston accountable to the needs of our communities by demanding that everyone charged for being an opponent or protesting against the project can walk free to return home and rejoin their loved ones. We must act NOW.
Make a call now. it takes five minutes
Until Justice Is Real,
Color Of Change Policy & Government Affairs Team
References:
- Sabrina Schnur, “Court Cases Dropped against Police Brutality Protesters in Las Vegas,” Journal (Las Vegas Review-Journal, June 4, 2021), https://act.colorofchange.org/go/395117?t=11&akid=56930%2E4731121%2EAKkzW9.
