This summer, as national attention remained focused on the fight against ‘Cop City,’ people from Atlanta and beyond continued to organize against the massive police training campus currently under construction in DeKalb County, Georgia. And while resistance continued, so did repression. Over 60 people were recently indicted on RICO charges in connection with protests against ‘Cop City’ and Victor Puertas, who was arrested at the South River Music Festival in March, remains in custody.
The fight has drawn international support, and those opposed to what would be the largest police training compound in the nation remain determined to stop the project. Unicorn Riot has been on the ground covering the fight against ‘Cop City’ for the past two years, and our coverage of this diverse struggle continued throughout the summer. Read on for a roundup of our summer coverage on the movement to stop ‘Cop City,’ including recent updates on state repression against the movement.
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Georgia prosecutors have indicted 61 individuals under the Georgia Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, or RICO, for their alleged participation in the #StopCopCity movement and for, as they put it, promoting “virulent anarchist ideals.” The indictments were handed down by the same grand jury also indicted five individuals on Domestic Terrorism charges and indicted three Atlanta Solidarity Fund activists on 15 counts each of money laundering. Read the story in full.
It was March 5 that Victor Puertas was arrested at the South River Music Festival in DeKalb County, Georgia, and even though no evidence has been levied against him, he has been behind bars ever since. Throughout his detainment, he has been continuously denied bond and has yet to be indicted on the one charge against him — state-level domestic terrorism. Read the full story and watch the video below.
Indigenous Climate Activist Victor Puertas Remains in Custody Despite No Indictment
In late June, clergy members and supporters rallied outside Stewart Detention Center in Lumpkin, GA while faith leaders visited Puertas inside. See video from the rally and more.
In early September, hundreds of people detained at the Stewart Detention Center announced plans for a hunger strike in response to inedible food and inhumane conditions inside the notorious Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in rural southwest Georgia. Though detainees have continued to eat while they negotiate with the facility’s staff, as many as 800 people are set to refuse food. Read the full story and listen an interview with Puertas.
Hundreds Set to Launch Hunger Strike Inside Stewart Detention Center [Interview]
During the week of June 24 – July 1, activists, organizers, and community members opposed to ‘Cop City’ converged in Atlanta for a “Week of Action” against the Atlanta Public Safety Training Center. People gathered in and around Atlanta to mobilize against the Atlanta Police Foundation’s proposed urban warfare training center. See our full coverage of the week of action along with added context of the movement leading up to July.
Defending the Atlanta Forest: Behind the Movement to Stop Cop City
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