The state of Georgia has handed down RICO indictments against 61 activists protesting against the development of an Atlanta police training facility, leaving many to raise questions about the criminalization of free speech.
Last week’s controversial indictments primarily target the Defend the Atlanta Forest organization, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported. Issued on Aug. 29, they accuse protestors of violating Georgia’s Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act. Others were charged with money laundering, domestic terrorism, and attempted arson in the first degree, according to a press release from Attorney General Chris Carr. Out of those charged, only 13 are from the state.
Defend the Atlanta Forest organization has openly opposed the construction of “Cop City” — a proposed training center for officers and first responders on land owned by the city of Atlanta.
Related: ‘Completely Inappropriate’: Cultural Awareness and Diversity Teacher Steps Down After She Is Accused of Writing N-Word On Seating Chart Next to Black Middle School Student’s Name
The city has invested $90 million in the project, which was met with a wave of pushback. The group wants to preserve the Weelaunee forest and emphasize that it’s “at risk of destruction as police and Hollywood make plans to pave over” the city’s “largest remaining green space” in the predominantly Black area that is just south of the city limits.
“This anarchist, anti-police, and environment activism organization coordinates, advertises and conducts “direct action” designed to prevent the construction of the Atlanta…
Read the full article here