Atlanta City Council Votes in Favor of Controversial “Cop City”

Tuesday, in spite of widespread protests and opposition, Atlanta’s City Council voted in favor of funding the giant police training facility and mock town dubbed “Cop City” to the tune of $67 million.

Public commentary before the vote lasted 15 hours. But in the end, the vote passed 11-4, with only four councilmembers—Liliana Bakhtiari, Jason Dozier, Antonio Lewis, and Keisha Waites—voting against it.

$31 million in public funding will go towards construction of the complex, and an additional $36 million will be paid by the city over 30 years.

Police have clashed with protesters over the Cop City site, which will destroy hundreds of acres of forest to build. Opposition has cited concern for the environment as well as the negative impacts of the continued militarization of police.

In January, police shot unarmed environmental activist and Cop City protester Manuel “Tortuguita” Esteban Paez Terán 57 times during a raid of the forest, fueling the contention.

Since Tortuguita’s killing, there have been sweeping arrested of activist with little to no cause.

Outcry over Cop City has been far reaching. It is likely that the approved funding will only add to sites protests.

What do you make of all of this?

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