Thread by @micahinATL

Well, the Atlanta City Council passed $67 million in funding for Cop City, by an 11-4 margin, after over 15 hours of essentially unanimous public comment against it.

Quick thoughts before I go to bed.

This was a historic 24 hours. Absolutely shattered every record of public turnout. Made clear, unequivocally, that Atlanta residents are against Cop City. Over a thousand people turned out, repping many more. Incredibly diverse crew. Everyday Atlantans. Firmly against Cop City.

This vote drives home: there is no democracy in Atlanta. This project most directly impacts those who have no representation on council, and the hundreds/thousands who do have Council representatives were all ignored today.

Every Councilmember who voted in favor of Cop City did so knowing that they were siding with powerful corporations and the police foundation, not the people of Atlanta. There should be no confusion that 11 councilmembers directly, knowingly sold out their constituents.

And while there’s no democracy in Atlanta, there is a MOVEMENT in Atlanta. One that has never been dependent on council for its legitimacy or action. One that will keep fighting just as it has for years.

One that will only continue to grow, as more people are radicalized by the utter lack of accountability from elected officials. The September 2021 vote was radicalizing for many; this will be too.

One important point: this was us using the “right” channels that the powerful always tell us to use. And doing so in a historic way. And still being ignored. So Council only has itself to blame when people decide to use channels that are not condoned by the powerful.

Thank you to the councilmembers who voted no: @LilianaforATL (who did a lot of work behind the scenes to try to stop this), @jasonsdozier, Keisha Waites, and @antoniolewisatl.

For the rest, there will be more words soon. So deeply disgusted with the 11 people who voted for this.

In any case, the movement’s not going anywhere. It’s staying right here. There’s a week of action at the end of June. The fight goes on, just like it always has. #StopCopCity

There is so much to be proud of and excited by from the last 24 hours.

Now let me go the fuck to sleep. Love to everyone fighting Cop City here and everywhere else.