On Sunday, March 5, 2023, about 23 people were arrested and charged with domestic terrorism in Atlanta. A group of people between the ages of 18 and 27 damaged a soon-to-be Law Enforcement Training Facility as a form of protest. A project that is worth 90 million dollars and has over 85 acres of space. This act of violence was due to left-leaning people protesting about police brutality. They called it “Stop Cop City.”
“This is not a protest, this criminal activity and the charges that will be brought forth will show that,” said Darin Schierbaum the Chief of Atlanta Police.
How This Happened
The way this started was because of a made-up celebration made by these protesters labeled “National Day of Action Against Police Terror.” This is to signify that people have this day to do something about the problems with the police. Usually, people would think they would go on strike or have posters outside of a police station. But these protesters did not want the protest to be peaceful. They decided that they would vandalize and destroy police property during construction which is considered an act of domestic terrorism.
“When you throw commercial-grade fireworks, when you throw Molotov cocktails, large rocks, a number of items at officers – your only intent is to harm,” said Darin Schierbaum. Police officers were wounded and hurt during this attack and a lot of construction equipment was destroyed. One construction tractor was set in flames and the other four fires were caused as well. Around thirty-five people were detained during this incident.
Their Point of View
Some activists came out to say how they felt about the incident. Activist Kamau Franklin said that the police acted violently and further shows that police are indeed aggressive proving the point of the protest. “The language being used by police, calling those arrested ‘outside agitators,’ is meant to separate protesters and meant to criminalize and detach a movement from its homegrown origins,” said Kamau Franklin.
Many of the people charged with domestic terrorism believe this was a good choice for them to make, failing to realize that what they did was illegal and dangerous. Some people involved also claimed that the police tased people that were moving away from the attack happening. They also tackled people to the ground. However, Police Officers state that they restrained those involved by using non-lethal force. Police also described the protesters as “violent agitators.”
The Consequences
Acts of domestic terrorism result in being in jail for life. It can even go up to the death penalty. This is most likely the future of the 23 people charged. “We will not rest until those who use violence and intimidation for an extremist end are brought to full justice,” said Brian Kemp the Governor of Georgia. The people convicted will be put on trial. Besides all the damage done to the police property, no police officer was fatally hurt during this attack. Many other law enforcement from other areas came in to help cease this attack.
“This was a very violent attack, very violent attack,” stated Schierbaum. The police have stated that this won’t change the fact that they will continue to respect any sort of protest as long as it is peacefully made. Any violent act and they will need to put a stop to it. “As I’ve said before, domestic terrorism will NOT be tolerated in this state,” said Kemp. Domestic terrorism is not something to be okay with. This will not go unpunished. Justice will happen.
Written by Erika Cano
Sources:
CNN: 23 face domestic terrorism charges after arrests in ‘Cop City’ protests at planned police training site in Atlanta
NY Post: Attorney among 23 charged with domestic terrorism in Atlanta ‘Cop City’ attack
Top and Featured Image Courtesy of Eden, Janine and Jim Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
Inset Image Courtesy of Chad Davis Flickr page – Creative Commons License
