Mass Incarceration

Police murder of an Atlanta forest defender sparks even stronger resistance


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Final week, police in Atlanta shot and killed a protester in opposition to the police division’s plans to show 300 acres of forest right into a police coaching compound, often called the ‘Cop Metropolis’. The Defend the Atlanta Forest wrote:

On January 18, in the midst of their newest militarized raid on the forest, police in Atlanta shot and killed an individual. That is solely the latest of a sequence of violent police retaliations in opposition to the motion.

26-year-old Manuel Teran – also called Tortuguita – was shot during a raid on the Atlanta forest safety camp on Wednesday 18 January.

A witness reported listening to a sequence of 10 to 12 gunshots after which a loud growth as police raided the camp.

A press release from the Atlanta Group Press Collective mentioned:

Since June 6, 2022, activists and neighborhood members preventing to Defend the Atlanta Forest and Cease Cop Metropolis have been demanding that officers cease bringing weapons into the forest after APD pointed their weapons at peaceable protestors.

The police are reporting that they had been fired on by protesters, however that is denied by the campaigners.

Learn on…

The Defend the Atlanta Forest marketing campaign tweeted out a quote from Tortuguita, the place they talked about the specter of state violence in opposition to them, as an individual of color. Tortuguita mentioned that they refused to let the concern of state violence cease them from resisting:

Solidarity

Tortuguita’s demise has sparked solidarity actions throughout the US:

The solidarity protests have been met by police violence and repression:

Defund the police

The Defend the Atlanta Forest campaign has issued a statement – signed by tons of of teams and people – explaining the significance of defending the forest. It reads:

Forests are the lungs of planet Earth. The destruction of forests impacts all of us. So do the gentrification and police violence that the bulldozing of Weelaunee Forest would facilitate. What is going on in Atlanta just isn’t an area difficulty.

The statement explains how the coaching centre will solely result in extra violence and repression in society:

Changing a forest with a police coaching heart will solely create a extra violently policed society, during which taxpayer sources enrich police and weapons firms moderately than addressing social wants. Mass incarceration and police militarization have did not convey down crime or enhance situations for poor and working-class communities.

Defend the forest

The campaigners say that growing police budgets comes at nice expense to society:

In Atlanta and throughout the US, funding in police budgets comes on the expense of entry to meals, training, childcare, and healthcare, of inexpensive and secure housing, of parks and public areas, of transit and the free motion of individuals, of financial stability for the various. Concentrating sources within the fingers of police serves to defend the intense accumulation of wealth and energy by companies and the very wealthy.

What do cops do with their elevated budgets and their carte blanche from politicians? They kill folks, each single day. They incarcerate and traumatize schoolchildren, dad and mom, family members who’re merely struggling to outlive. We should not accept a society organized recklessly upon the values of violence, racism, greed, and careless indifference to life.

The battle that’s enjoying out in Atlanta is a contest for the longer term

The statement ends with a name to help the marketing campaign:

The forest defenders are attempting to create a greater world for all of us. We owe it to the folks of Atlanta and to future generations all over the place to help them.

Featured picture via Democracy Now/screenshot, cropped to 770×403





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Tha Bosslady

CREEDD (Creative Resilient Empowered Entrepreneurs and Diversified Dreamers) is a dynamic and purpose-driven platform that I founded with a deep commitment to empowering individuals facing adversity. It serves as a sanctuary where people can find solace, support, and valuable resources to navigate life's challenges while uncovering their true potential. My personal journey of enduring loss, tragedy, and life's complexities propelled me to establish CREEDD with a profound understanding of the human spirit's resilience. Having faced the heart-wrenching loss of my daughter to gun violence, my stepdaughter's survival after losing an eye to domestic violence, and witnessing my only biological son receiving a life sentence for a nonviolent drug crime, I am no stranger to life's darkest moments. In addition to my own struggles, I experienced health challenges that led me to undergo a tracheotomy. The most devastating blow came when my stepdaughter and granddaughter tragically lost their lives in a horrific car accident. Yet, it is precisely through these trials that I gained invaluable insights and unwavering determination to inspire others. CREEDD is more than a community; it's a lifeline for those seeking hope, inspiration, and empowerment. By sharing my personal story and the lessons learned, I aspire to ignite a spark of resilience within every member, encouraging them to rise above their challenges and embrace their unique journeys. At CREEDD, we believe in the transformative power of storytelling. It is through these stories that we connect with others who have endured similar struggles, creating an unbreakable bond of understanding and support. Our platform fosters an environment of empowerment, providing resources, educational content, and opportunities for personal growth. Our ultimate goal is to leave a lasting and positive impact on the lives of those who join CREEDD. We envision a ripple effect of change, where individuals find the courage to rewrite their narratives, rediscover their purpose, and lead lives filled with resilience and fulfillment. Together, we form a community of diverse dreamers, each on their unique path of transformation. At CREEDD, we embrace growth, uplift one another, and become beacons of hope. Join us on this transformative journey and witness the power of unity, compassion, and the unwavering pursuit of living life on purpose, no matter the adversities we face.

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