The Guardian has just come out with a new report stating the Department Of Homeland Security monitored web posts regarding cop city ahead of a crackdown that has left one protestor dead and 40 others charged with domestic terrorism.
Re-read that until it sinks in. The Bush Administration/9/11 created Department Of Homeland Security monitored web posts regarding the planning of cop city and the resultant protests in order to find evidence of “anarchist violent extremist” and “environmental violent extremist” ideologies.
“DHS’s communications undoubtedly contributed to Georgia authorities’ harsh crackdown on the Stop Cop City movement,” said Charlie Hogle, a staff attorney with the American Civil Liberties Union’s National Security Project, over email. “The documents reinforce our concerns about DHS’s overbroad and stigmatizing use of ‘domestic violent extremism’ and related labels, which has long resulted in unwarranted surveillance, investigation, and even prosecution of environmental and racial and social justice activists. The Guardian Dec. 6, 2023
You might feel the protests over cop city are much ado about nothing, but what if Trump gets back into office? I’m mystified by the attitude of readers on this site who are rightly concerned about a possible return of tfg but yawn about the possibility of cop city training LEO’s to beat up protestors who exercise their 1st amendment rights. Unfortunately, our government has a nasty history of spying on leftist groups in order to repress dissent. You may never go to Atlanta, Georgia but, this complex will be used as a training center for law enforcement officers nation-wide.
The Atlanta City Council has bent over backward to accommodate the project, but work continues to place the issue on the ballot.
The Georgia state legislature voted to support the project 144-5. State Representative, Saira Draper D-De Kalb County voted against the non binding resolution saying: “Do not dismiss those concerns by conflating us with extremist violent protestors” Draper represents the area that will be affected by the complex. (the only source I can find is the local FOX affiliate, sorry)
Happy Hanukkah
And WYFP?