More Than 60 “Cop City” Protesters Hit With RICO Charges in Georgia

Dozens of people fighting to stop Atlanta’s “Cop City” have been indicted on RICO charges. 

The Georgia Attorney General’s Office brought forth the charges against 61 individuals and is taking aim at organizations fighting against the construction, such as the Defend the Atlanta Forest group. The organization has been protesting the construction of the new Atlanta public safety training facility, which is being constructed on 300 acres of unincorporated forest. According to the group’s website, the woods “is home to wetlands that filter rainwater and prevent flooding.” The Muscogee Creek Native Tribe occupied the land until the early 1800s and was entirely out of the region by the late 1820s.  

As the organization has fought for the $90 million “Cop City” complex to cease construction, Georgia Attorney General Christopher Carr believes they committed multiple crimes. In addition to the RICO charges, some protesters also face domestic terrorism and money laundering. The AG office describes Defend the Atlanta Forest as an “anti-government, anti-police, and anti-corporate extremist organization.” In the indictment obtained by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the group is being accused of intimidating anyone involved with building the facility. 

Part of the indictment also mentions the Network for Strong Communities and several of its members. They are being accused of giving funds to demonstrators occupying the forest. Most of the payments were under $100 and as little as $15.18.

The Southern Center For Human Rights has begun supporting those indicted with legal help and other resources.