We reported in December on a group of people who have been living on forest land on the future site of the Atlanta Police Department Training Facility for several months. Local authorities have described the group as “Antifa-related”. They have established a sort of autonomous zone in the trees, and are causing trouble.
Six people were taken into custody and charged with “domestic terrorist” among other offenses. They were accused of throwing rocks and breaking glass bottles, resisting arrest, and possessing pipe bombs as well as trip wires.
Other activists were also accused in several other incidents, including an attack on police in May where eight activists were accused of throwing Molotov cocktails at officers as they escorted workers onto the site. The activists were also accused of harassing and attacking residents of the area. They even threw a gas bomb at one man’s car. According to the man, he believed they were trying to burn him alive.
The radicals occupied the site despite this. Six of the six people arrested last month were released on low bail.
However, Wednesday was a terrible day.
Colonel Chris Wright of the Georgia Department of Public Safety stated that authorities were conducting “clearing operations” near the location. Wright stated that one of their officers was hit by a gunshot fired by the protesters. The suspect was killed by police after he was shot at. The officer is now in stable condition. As of yet, neither person has been officially identified.
Michael Register, Director of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, stated that four people were taken into custody. He described the response to protests as “complex” but said that they were threatening the community and citizens in the area.
BREAKING: Cameras rolling as one person was detained at the site of the future law enforcement training facility sometimes referred to as “Cop City”, one Georgia State Patrol Trooper was shot and injured and one protester was killed when fire was returned. More on @FOX5Atlanta pic.twitter.com/8dC7C4NKeO
— Billy Heath III (@BillyHeathFOX5) January 18, 2023
The protesters’ group released a statement blaming the police.
Stop Cop City ATL sent an email to FOX 5 Atlanta stating that it was not clear if the Georgia State Patrol trooper sustained injuries from “police fire”, “protestor” or “police-induced action”.
According to the statement, police have repeatedly raided protest encampments at Weelaunee Forest. They also harassed and detained people walking through the park and attacked protestors using tear gas and rubber bullets. “During previous raids, police have repeatedly escalated violent tactics against protestors (sic), who were sitting in trees and standing in a park.” Multiple times, they have removed tree limbs and rope from the hands of tree-sitters in a manner that is likely to cause serious injury or even death. The raid started with armed police closing down a road and pointing guns in the park.
Um, guys? You are occupying a property that isn’t yours. You allegedly attacked police officers and other citizens by throwing Molotov cocktails at them and bombing their cars. You allegedly shot and fired at a police officer. It’s too late to pretend that you are just peaceful tree-huggers being unfairly treated.
In response to the shooting, there was a message asking for more people on Jan. 20 to join a “night against the police” protest.
A CALL FOR RETALIATION
Consider this a call for reciprocal violence to be done to the police and their allies. On Friday, January 20th, wherever you are, you are invited to participate in a night of rage in order to honor the memory of our fallen comrade.https://t.co/C6gfU6gfXB pic.twitter.com/WcfKGQ0Ptf— Scenes from the Atlanta Forest (@scenesatl) January 18, 2023
Gov. Brian Kemp described the “forest defenders group” as part of a “militant activist who has committed similar acts in domestic terrorism across this country” and said that he would use his “full force to bring down those trying to implement a radical agenda by violent means.”
Anarchists attributed other actions in Florida, and Portland, to efforts to “Stop Cop City.”
Warning: Video Contains Foul Language
The saboteurs scaled the office building — 50+ ft off the ground — spraying “Stop Cop City”, “We Have The Numbers”, “Fuck 12”, several anarchist Ⓐ as well as dumping paint down the front facade and dropping a banner that read “Stop Cop City Ⓐ” pic.twitter.com/Wjoklkpm1b
— Tequesta Black Star (@TBSFlorida) January 9, 2023
The anarchist cell released a comunique claiming responsibility for this attack and promising more, in the name of Stop Cop City. This, less than a week after Portland anarchists set fire to a Bank of America for funding Cop City.
Portland: https://t.co/ldVzNVksUw pic.twitter.com/6rdaAX4AEr
— Tequesta Black Star (@TBSFlorida) January 9, 2023
Are the FBI investigating this or are they too busy flagging speech on Twitter to be suppressed?
