[News] Police murder protestor in Atlanta Forest

[Anti-Imperialist News]

atlantapresscollective.com
<https://atlantapresscollective.com/2023/01/18/press-release-police-murder-protestor-in-atlanta-forest/>
PRESS RELEASE – Police murder protestor in Atlanta Forest
Published by Atlanta Community Press Collective
------------------------------

January 18, 2023

*Submitted to the Atlanta Community Press Collective* *for publication.*

Today the police shot and killed a protester in Weelaunee Forest.

Dozens of heavily armed DeKalb Police, Atlanta Police and Georgia State
police shut down Weelaunee People’s Park and nearby streets before entering
the tree line with guns drawn and heavy machinery poised to continue forest
destruction.

Police have repeatedly raided this public park, flattened community gardens
and art installations, attacked protestors with chemical weapons and rubber
bullets, and threatened lethal force. During past raids, police have
consistently escalated violent tactics on peaceful people who were sitting
in trees or walking through the public park. Since June 6, 2022, activists
and community members fighting to Defend the Atlanta Forest and Stop Cop
City have been demanding that officers stop bringing weapons into the
forest after APD pointed their weapons at peaceful protestors.

The police and local news are working together to control the flow of
information, leaving us with vague news reports that suggest the officer
fired at the civilian in self-defense. We know they will say and do
anything to prevent an Atlanta officer from being viewed as another Derek
Chauvin, including witholding, distorting, or deleting evidence. Supporters
of the movement are calling on legal observers and journalists to document
the violent police tactics being used against protestors.

Since the fatal shooting, this morning’s operation has continued with
Brasfield and Gorrie’s heavy machinery entering the forest and cops
shooting pepper balls at people who remain in the park–as if nothing has
happened. The loss of our lives remains meaningless to the police. Police
killed a forest defender for loving this earth, for taking a stand against
the ongoing destruction of the planet and its people. Indiscriminate police
murder, unfettered police violence is exactly why people have, for two
years, called for the Cop City project to be cancelled immediately. As
politicians invest in cops, militarization and police budgets are only
increasing. Meanwhile, police murders peaked in 2022: U.S. cops killed 100
people every month.

What is taking place is a classic example of tyrannical government
overreach. The public has a right to defend its interests. We are advocates
of a free and peaceful society built on cooperation and mutual
understanding. The government is escalating this situation pointlessly.

Allow peace to return to our community.

Cancel the Cop City project. Return Intrenchment Creek Park to the public.

Drop the charges against protesters.

No one can bring our friend back to us. An innocent life has been taken and
the machines continue.

If you are in Atlanta, come to the candlelight vigil tonight, January 18th,
at 6pm at the intersection of Moreland and Euclid.

Wherever you are, we invite you to come to Atlanta Friday, January 20 for a
second candlelight vigil at 6pm to remember and grieve our lost friend. We
will not go quietly into this dark night. RIP, with love and solidarity.
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