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<a class="gmail-domain gmail-reader-domain" href="https://atlantapresscollective.com/2023/01/18/press-release-police-murder-protestor-in-atlanta-forest/">atlantapresscollective.com</a>
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<h1 class="gmail-reader-title">PRESS RELEASE – Police murder protestor in Atlanta Forest</h1>
<div class="gmail-credits gmail-reader-credits">Published by Atlanta Community Press Collective</div>
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<p>January 18, 2023</p>
<p><em>Submitted to the Atlanta Community Press Collective</em> <em>for publication.</em> </p>
<p>Today the police shot and killed a protester in Weelaunee Forest.</p>
<p>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. </p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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. </p>
<p>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. </p>
<p>Allow peace to return to our community. </p>
<p>Cancel the Cop City project. Return Intrenchment Creek Park to the public.</p>
<p>Drop the charges against protesters.</p>
<p>No one can bring our friend back to us. An innocent life has been taken and the machines continue. </p>
<p>If you are in Atlanta, come to the candlelight vigil tonight, January 18th, at 6pm at the intersection of Moreland and Euclid.</p>
<p>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.</p>
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