Three Arrested at Weekly Picket to Stop Cop City

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 22, 2023

Three Arrested at Weekly Picket to Stop Cop City

Arrests Include Members of an Early Childhood Educator and Youth Worker Collective

DEKALB COUNTY, GA — Three activists have been arrested today during the weekly “Forest Fridays” picket protests at the entrance of the Cop City site. This weeks marks the 9th continuous week of picket protests at the construction site, hosted by the Weelaunee Coalition, a group of youth educators and workers opposed to Cop City and the expansion of policing. According to picketers present today, a group of 20 officers approached roughly 15 picketers, issuing a warning verbally while simultaneously attempting to arrest.

“My partner is a loving member of this community who harbors so much compassion for others. It’s so scary to see the police target such a kind person because of their opposition to Cop City. It feels like the police will go after anyone for speaking out” says Barry Lee, partner of one activist arrested today.

Recently, there have been several instances of arrests of protesters peacefully resisting Cop City. In September, 5 activists from the Faith Coalition Against Cop City were arrested after chaining themselves to a bulldozer at the construction site. In early November, 3 elders were arrested for blockading the entrance to the site. Activists believe that the police are increasingly targeting any protest against Cop City with the goal of maximizing arrests, hoping that the public wouldn’t notice during the holiday season. This follows a longer trend of police attempting to suppress the movement against Cop City through arrests, intimidation, and overt acts of violence. 2023 has seen a major escalation of political repression against the Stop Cop City movement, from the murder of a protester, indiscriminate application of domestic terrorism and RICO charges and surveillance of protesters including referendum offices.

In response, activists are planning a jail rally tonight for those arrested at the Dekalb County Jail (at 4425 Memorial Drive, Decatur, GA) from 5-8p.m.

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