#BlockCopCity Mobilization Begins Today

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 10, 2023

#BlockCopCity Mobilization Begins Today, Activists Plan Mass Return to Weelaunee Forest on November 13

Hundreds of Cop City Opponents from Across the Country Are Expected to Converge This Weekend in Atlanta

ATLANTA, GA — After months of preparation, the #BlockCopCity mobilization begins today. Over the weekend, activists from across the country will gather to finalize their plans for collective action on Monday, November 13 to block the Cop City construction site and to enforce the People’s Stop Work Order. Organizers have traveled to over 80 cities in North America to prepare groups to come to Atlanta for the November mobilization. The November 13 action starting Monday morning is expected to engage thousands of people, both on and off the Cop City construction site.

Police aggression has also increased over the last few weeks, with a significant uptick in police presence and an increasing number of reported incidents of harassment of neighbors living around the Weelaunee Forest. The action is expected to begin around the Cop City site on Monday morning. Journalists are encouraged to cover the action and to bring protective gear in case of police escalation. While organizers have committed to action adhering to classical interpretations of nonviolence, they are preparing participants for excessive use of force by police.

“The Block Cop City mobilization is based on principles of nonviolence,” said Elijah Bowman, a Block Cop City activist visiting Atlanta this weekend to take part in the action. “We have clearly laid out the terms of engagement. If the police choose to act out violently against us, a demonstration of peaceful protesters, the whole world will be watching.”

In the case of mass arrest, a press conference will take place at the Dekalb County Jail on Monday, November 13 at 8PM. Organizers will confirm details of the press conference by Monday afternoon.

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