Dozens of “militant anarchists” and “eco-activists” who oppose the construction of a police training center critics call “City of Policemen” have been charged with extortion, the Georgia state attorney general announced Tuesday.
The sweeping indictment, unsealed Tuesday after it was delivered by a grand jury last week, charged 61 members of a group called Defend the Atlanta Forest with illegally occupying the training site and committing vandalism and violence.
Republican Attorney General Chris Carr harshly criticized the defendants during a news conference on Tuesday.
“The 61 defendants together have conspired to prevent the construction of the Atlanta Public Safety Training Center by carrying out, coordinating, and organizing acts of violence, intimidation, and destruction of property,” Carr said.
Critics behind the “Stop Cop City” effort, which has been underway for more than two years, believe the $90 million police and fire training center will further militarize police and cause environmental damage. in an urban forest.
The defendants are part of a “self-identified coalition and company of militant anarchists, eco-activists, and community organizers,” who are also “anti-police,” the indictment alleges.
Critics behind the “Stop Cop City” effort, which has been underway for more than two years, believe the $90 million police and fire training center will further militarize police and cause Environmental damage in an urban forest. Robin Rayne
“Each individual charged in this indictment knowingly joined the conspiracy in an attempt to prevent the training center from being built,” the indictment states.
The indictment, issued Aug. 29, is the latest use of the state’s organized crime law, also known as the RICO law.
Most of the defendants are not from Georgia, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported.
Some defendants face additional charges including domestic terrorism, arson and money laundering, the newspaper reported.
The indictment, issued Aug. 29, is the latest use of the state’s organized crime law, also known as the RICO law.Robin Rayne
Some defendants face additional charges including domestic terrorism, arson and money laundering, the newspaper reported. Robin Rayne
The indictment was filed in Fulton County, and the grand jury that indicted former President Donald Trump and his allies on RICO charges was also involved in the “Cop City” case, the newspaper reported.
Activists fighting for an ongoing referendum against the project condemned the accusation as “undemocratic.”
“Chris Carr may try to use his prosecutors and his power to build his gubernatorial campaign and silence free speech, but his threats will not silence our commitment to defend our future, our community and our city,” the Cop City Vote coalition said. in a sentence.
The sweeping indictment accused 61 members of a group called “Defend the Atlanta Forest” of illegally occupying the training site and committing vandalism and violence. Robin Rayne
Activists fighting for an ongoing referendum against the project condemned the accusation, calling it “undemocratic”. Robin Rayne
Most of the 61 defendants are not Georgia residents.AP
Meanwhile, Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp praised the action by the attorney general’s office.
“My top priority is and always will be keeping Georgians safe, especially against out-of-state radicals who threaten the safety of our citizens and law enforcement,” he said.
Among the alleged crimes included in the RICO case are breaking and entering, vandalism, throwing objects (such as Molotov cocktails at police), and online threats.
Among the alleged crimes included in the RICO case are breaking and entering, vandalism, throwing objects (such as Molotov cocktails at police) and online threats.ZUMAPRESS.com
Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr said the 61 defendants “conspired to prevent the construction of the Atlanta Public Safety Training Center.” Robin Rayne
More than three dozen people already facing domestic terrorism charges linked to violent protests, three bail fund leaders previously indicted for money laundering, and three activists previously indicted for felony intimidation are among those charged. in the new RICO case.
Protests against the training center in DeKalb County increased after the shooting death of a 26-year-old protester in January. State investigators said state agents shot and killed Manuel Esteban Páez Terán in self-defense after he shot at them, although activists have disputed that account.
With post cables
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Source: vtt.edu.vn