Protests against the construction of Cop City in Atlanta have been ongoing since the proposal was announced. The planned police training facility has been met with resistance from activists and community members who argue that the $90 million could be better spent on addressing issues like affordable housing, education, and mental health services. The protesters have also expressed concerns that the new facility will lead to an increase in police violence and further exacerbate systemic racism in law enforcement.
Reverend Mekko Chebon Kernell, an ordained Elder in the Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conference, has given an Indigenous perspective on the fight against Cop City. In an interview with Democracy Now!, Kernell emphasized the disproportionate impact of police violence on Indigenous communities and the importance of fighting against the expansion of policing and surveillance. He also noted the historical context of settler colonialism and the ongoing displacement of Indigenous people, stating that “policing has always been a tool of colonization.” He spoke to these issues and more when we spoke to us on hard Knock Radio.
Despite the resistance, the Atlanta City Council voted in favor of funding the construction of Cop City in December 2021. However, the protesters have vowed to continue their fight and have called for divestment from policing and investment in community-led solutions to public safety. The ongoing protests against Cop City represent a growing movement of activists and community members who are demanding systemic change and an end to the oppressive systems of policing and surveillance.
Leave a Reply