Power over People: The Story Behind Cop City

General Overview of Cop City  

What is Cop City?

“Cop City” is the nickname for the Atlanta Public Safety Training Center, an 85-acre facility for police and firefighter training facility. It includes a mock city, shooting ranges, and other spaces to improve law enforcement readiness which its advocates argue is necessary for addressing rising crime and declining morale in public safety.

Why is it Controversial?

Upon its announcement in 2021, Cop City immediately drew backlash as it is being built in one of Atlanta’s remaining large green spaces, prompting an outcry from environmental groups over deforestation concerns and Native American groups citing the cultural importance and historical value. Additionally, critics argue the project reflects an expansion of police power at a time of deep mistrust between law enforcement and Black communities in Atlanta.

Tensions escalated in 2023 when a protester named Manuel “Tortuguita” Terán was shot and killed by police during a raid on a protest camp in the forest. This event drew national attention and sparked more protests. Later, 61 activists were charged under Georgia’s RICO law, normally used for organized crime. The opposition says this is an extreme reaction meant to silence the protest.

The Republican Legislature’s Role in Cop City

At every turn, our conservative majority state government has chosen to reinforce power over listening to people. Instead of investigating community opposition or reevaluating the use of public funds, Republican leaders have doubled down, pushing legal and policy frameworks that criminalize dissent and embolden overreach like the use of domestic terrorism, RICO charges against protesters, and restricting bail assistance.

• Domestic Terrorism Charges: Georgia has used its expanded domestic terrorism law to charge over 40 Cop City protesters—its first use under the 2017 revision. Critics say the charges are politically driven and threaten free speech.

• RICO Indictments: The state used a law meant to target mobsters to punish protesters. It’s part of a bigger effort to shut down grassroots movements that challenge police power and big business.

• Bail Fund Crackdown: A 2024 Georgia law limits how often someone can post bail for others, seen as a move against Cop City protest support networks.

At its core, the Republican Legislature’s involvement in Cop City isn't about public safety. It's about control. Instead of investing in communities through education, healthcare, and housing, they’ve backed a $100 million facility that sends a message: dissent isn't welcome in Georgia. Cop City is just the surface layer of a much deeper issue—how power is protected, not shared.

Recent Developments

The sweeping RICO case against 61 protesters opposed to Atlanta’s planned “Cop City” facility is now entering its second year, bogged down by politically charged delays and mounting concerns about civil liberties as the state narrowly fails to pass a bill that would have allowed colleges to revoke scholarships from students who protest.

Defense attorneys have grown increasingly frustrated by the unclear official start date for the trial. Judge Kevin Farmer now plans to split the defendants into small groups of 5 defendants with the hopes of beginning as early as June, but the state has continued to attempt to introduce new evidence, further delaying proceedings. 

Thirty-three defendants have signed a letter requesting to be tried together. The Georgia Deputy Attorney General stated that it “didn't seem unreasonable,” but it is up to Judge Farmer to determine how the case proceeds. 

Judge Kevin Farmer also wants individual motions on behalf of the 61 defendants by May 30th, rather than sign on to each other, which has previously been done. This only serves to add more work for the defense in their efforts to work with the court. 

The verdict that ultimately emerges from this case could continue to blur the lines between protest and crime.

Cop City is Just the Tip of the Iceberg

Cop City highlights a broader pattern of Republican control in Georgia that prioritizes power over people. Whether it's pushing a deeply unpopular six-week abortion ban, shielding corporate wrongdoers through tort reform, or forcing through a disastrous “Pathways” program that has left thousands without healthcare, the Georgia GOP’s agenda reflects control not care.

The same lawmakers backing Cop City’s overreach are the ones denying Georgia families access to healthcare and reproductive freedom. Their Medicaid waiver plan, “Pathways,” promised coverage but delivered confusion and bureaucracy, serving fewer than 3,000 people in a state where half a million remain uninsured. All at the cost of nearly $62 million dollars that has gone to a private consulting firm to manage this boondoggle. 

If you believe Georgia deserves leadership that listens to its people please chip in to support the 2030 Project. Every dollar helps us organize, mobilize, and flip the State House for a better future for all Georgians.