On January 18, 2023 a multi-agency task force moved to clear out an ongoing
tree-sit protest in Atlanta, Georgia. In the opening minutes of this operation,Georgia State Troopers shot and killed a tree sitter. ---- Manuel ‘Tortuguita'Paez Teran ---- The tree sitter, Manuel Paez Teran, also known as Tortuguita orTort, was a participant in an ongoing occupation of the Atlanta (Weelanuee)Forest. The objective of the forest occupation is to prevent the construction of‘Cop City', a state-of-the-art, 381-acre police urban warfare training facility.The as yet unbuilt facility has so far drawn $90 million dollars in funding froma combination of tax dollars and corporate sponsorship. ---- Since the projectwas announced, residents of Atlanta have demonstrated and registered their angerover its secretive development, its likely impacts on local wildlands, its misuseof public resources, and the certainty that it will increase the presence ofheavily armed police in the area.Already, a number of tree sitters have been arrested and charged with felonycrimes accompanied by domestic terrorism enhancements. This represents a graveescalation in the use of legal force and demonstrates just how far the state iswilling to go to criminalize even non-violent dissent.In the wake of the massive George Floyd Uprising, along with the many anti-policeuprisings that preceded it, the state has a determined interest in militarizingits security apparatus. There's no doubt that increasing the use of militaristictraining and equipment will result in intensified violence aimed at everydaypeople, particularly those who are Black and Brown. And such facilities and newfunding will only further strengthen and shield a profession filled withperpetrators of misogynist and white supremacist violence.Additionally, as we barrel headlong into climate catastrophe, we can not overlookthe destruction of nearly 400 acres of forested land belonging to the Muscogeepeople. This is but one example of the rapacious drive for development that ishastening climate breakdown, rooted in the very foundations of thesettler-colonial United States.As members of Black Rose Anarchist Federation / Federación Anarquista Rosa Negra,our hearts break over the police killing of Tort and the toll that the defense ofthe forest has so far taken. We extend our solidarity to the Stop Cop City andDefend Atlanta Forest movements. Finally, we wish strength for Tort's friends andfamily and a renewed vigor for the broader movement.An attack on one movement is an attack on all. Time after time, popularresistance has shown the police's plans can be defeated. We can do it again.https://blackrosefed.org/stop-cop-city-in-solidarity-and-mourning/_________________________________________A - I N F O S N E W S S E R V I C EBy, For, and About AnarchistsSend news reports to A-infos-en mailing listA-infos-en@ainfos.ca
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