This is really scary, y'all. The state is coming after everyone we know and love for having the courage to collectively resist further destruction of the planet and expansion of policing. We have to keep fighting back just as hard. #StopCopCity
Please mobilize every media contact you have. Join an organization or a collective. Make a solidarity statement. Look for coming Calls to Action. Donate to the Solidarity Fund. secure.actblue.com/donate/atlanta…
And if you are in Atlanta, plan to be at City Hall on June 5th at 12pm!!!
And let me tell you this: every effort at repression thus far has only grown the movement further. Our power only continues to build. Please join the movement in any way you can, from near or afar.
The @NAACP_LDF has issued a statement condemning the targeting of the Atlanta Solidarity Fund and calling for a DOJ investigation into the arrests.
"We echo the demand reverberating across Georgia, and the nation, that Cop City must not be constructed." naacpldf.org/press-release/…
"We are deeply concerned about the apparent targeting of Atlanta Solidarity Fund members...particularly in light of Magistrate Judge James Altman’s recent criticism of the evidence presented by the State against them, which he decried as unimpressive in today’s bail hearing."
"We hope the Atlanta Police Foundation, its corporate supporters, and law enforcement officials in Georgia will be subject to the same exacting scrutiny and standards to which the Solidarity Fund is being subjected."
Okay I want everyone to read this transcript of a radio conversation between Atlanta police officers regarding the arrests of the Atlanta Solidarity Fund Activists.
"We've been putting pressure on them and attacking them from all different angles"
APD openly admitting that they've been attacking the movement from all angles.
"At some point, they've got to give up. I mean, especially if we're the one after all the money. It could shut them down."
APD officers openly admitting that the prosecutions of Solidarity Fund activists are in order to target the organization with money to bail out activists.
GOOD NEWS: Judge is granting bond for all three Atlanta Solidarity Fund defendants, and notes concerns about the flimsiness of the charges and lack of evidence thus far. Even the judge is expressing doubt about these charges––which tells you how spurious they are. #StopCopCity
Hasn't said the actual amount of bond, or conditions of bond, yet.
"I don't find it real impressive" –– the judge regarding the case so far. Says it may be there, but it's not for him to decide at first appearance.
Says they will have to report to pretrial services, can't leave state without permission of pretrial services. Says stay off social media and make no comments about merits of case or people involved on social media.
I just want to say that yesterday's #StopCopCity turnout at city hall is the result of THOUSANDS of hours of door to door canvassing. Conversations in grocery store parking lots. Block parties. Town halls. Info sessions. Workshops. ORGANIZING.
So many people have put so much unseen labor into this movement, doing the nitty gritty work of organizing and educating people. This is a truly robust, people-powered movement.
and I think social media plays an important role in this movement too!! But as someone who is "visible" on here, I want to be clear that hundreds, thousands of people make up this movement and have been putting in the work for YEARS to stop this deadly monstrosity!
Atlanta residents showed up for over 7 hours of public comment against cop city. The line to sign up for comment wound throughout City hall, down the stairs, and outside.
An estimated 100 people — several more hours of comment — were not able to sign up despite waiting hours in line. Atlanta residents of all experienced and identities spoke for over 7 hours against cop city. Loudly and clearly.
Not one person spoke in favor of giving $33.5 million to the Atlanta police foundation for cop city. A 100% opposition rate.
Currently, 7 of 15 councilmembers are still sitting in the City Council chamber. Public comment is continuing. Those who remain are: Jason Winston, Amir Farokhi, Jason Dozier, Liliana Bakhtiari, Michael Julian Bond, and Keisha Waites.
Missing: Byron Amos, Howard Shook, Mary Norwood, Dustin Hillis, Andrea Boone, Marci Overstreet, Antonio Lewis, Matt Westmoreland