Published TUESDAY, October 3, 2023: 'Cop City' Crackdown Pictures by ZUMA Press partner Newspaper Atlanta Journal-Constitution photographers Riley Bunch, Miguel Martinez, Hyosub Shin, Steve Schaefer, John Spink, Arvin Temkar: Activists from the ''Stop Cop City'' movement are fighting against the construction of a new police training facility in Atlanta. The roughly three year long battle that has included violent protests, the police killing of a climate activist, numerous arrests, and sweeping domestic terrorism and racketeering charges against protesters that have alarmed civil rights advocates. The city argues the facility will be important to properly train police and replace worn out facilities. Protesters claim it will empower police violence, in part through creating a mock city to practice urban warfare tactics. Welcome to 'Cop City' Crackdown
© zReportage.com Issue #908 Story of the Week: Published TUESDAY, October 3, 2023: 'Cop City' Crackdown Pictures by ZUMA Press partner Newspaper Atlanta Journal-Constitution photographers Riley Bunch, Miguel Martinez, Hyosub Shin, Steve Schaefer, John Spink, Arvin Temkar: Activists from the ''Stop Cop City'' movement are fighting against the construction of a new police training facility in Atlanta. The roughly three year long battle that has included violent protests, the police killing of a climate activist, numerous arrests, and sweeping domestic terrorism and racketeering charges against protesters that have alarmed civil rights advocates. The city argues the facility will be important to properly train police and replace worn out facilities. Protesters claim it will empower police violence, in part through creating a mock city to practice urban warfare tactics. Welcome to 'Cop City' Crackdown

A aerial view of the planned site for the controversial Atlanta public safety training center at the old Atlanta prison farm in DeKalb County. Activists from the ''Stop Cop City'' movement are fighting against the construction of the center, while the city argues it will be important to properly train police and replace worn out facilities.
© Hyosub Shin/The Atlanta Journal-Constitution via ZUMA Press Wire

Kids throw colorful powder at the beginning of the Defend the Atlanta Forest and public safety training center protest at Gresham Park in Atlanta.
© Steve Schaefer/The Atlanta Journal-Constitution via ZUMA Press Wire

Defend the Atlanta Forest and public safety training center protesters march to Weelaunee People's Park from Gresham Park in Atlanta. Activists from the ''Stop Cop City'' movement are fighting against the construction of a new police training facility in Atlanta.
© Steve Schaefer/The Atlanta Journal-Constitution via ZUMA Press Wire

Covered in colorful paint powder, MATTHEW JOHNSON talks through a loud hailer to the crowd during the Defend the Atlanta Forest and public safety training center protest at Gresham Park in Atlanta.
© Steve Schaefer/TNS via ZUMA Press Wire

The site of the proposed Atlanta public safety training center at the site of the old Atlanta prison farm near Atlanta. A growing number of southeast Atlanta neighborhoods are speaking out against the proposal to build a massive training center for police officers and firefighters on forested land in DeKalb County.
© Hyosub Shin/The Atlanta Journal-Constitution via ZUMA Press Wire

Members of the Atlanta police SWAT team gather at Gresham Park, after a Georgia State Patrol trooper was shot near the site of Atlanta's proposed public safety training center.
© John Spink/The Atlanta Journal-Constitution via ZUMA Press Wire

Law enforcement ride on ATV's at the site of Atlanta's proposed public safety training center in anticipation of construction beginning on the controversial facility.
© John Spink/Atlanta Journal Constitution via ZUMA Press Wire

Police officers stand near damaged construction equipment at the Atlanta Public Safety Training Center site. Police officers were attacked during violent protests at the site on Sunday.
© John Spink/TNS via ZUMA Press Wire

People gather in the heart of Little Five Points during a candlelight vigil responding to the killing of a forest protester who exchanged gunfire with a State Trooper Wednesday morning at Atlanta's planned public safety training center. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation has said a nonbinary person who went by the name Tortuguita was killed by officers after shooting and wounding a state trooper.
© Miguel Martinez/The Atlanta Journal-Constitution via ZUMA Press Wire

BELKIS TERAN speaks at press conference on the death of her son Manuel Tortuguita Teran in Decatur. Manuel Teran was killed last month near the site of Atlanta's planned public safety training center. He was shot by police at least 13 times, attorneys for the family said.
© Arvin Temkar/TNS via ZUMA Press Wire

MARGARET MASON TATE, who opposes Atlanta's planned public safety training center, has a ready response for proponents who highlight the green space featured in the city's plans. ''The notion that keeps getting repeated that this is what we want and that the neighborhood is just enthused about our new green space that is going to happen, as if we don't have a green space. It's a forest,'' said Tate, who added she used to explore the woods and observe wildlife there with her son.
© Arvin Temkar/TNS via ZUMA Press Wire

Officers walk out of a graffiti covered old prison farm building during an Atlanta Police Department and Atlanta Fire Rescue media tour of the Atlanta Public Safety Training Center site.
© Arvin Temkar/The Atlanta Journal-Constitution via ZUMA Press Wire

Armed police officers stand in an old prison farm building during an Atlanta Police Department and Atlanta Fire Rescue media tour of the Atlanta Public Safety Training Center site.
© Arvin Temkar/The Atlanta Journal-Constitution via ZUMA Press Wire

The Atlanta Police Department and Atlanta Fire Rescue hosted a media tour of the site for the proposed Atlanta Public Safety Training Center.
© Arvin Temkar/The Atlanta Journal-Constitution via ZUMA Press Wire

The Atlanta Police Department and Atlanta Fire Rescue drive offload vehicles during a a media tour of the site for the proposed Atlanta Public Safety Training Center.
© Arvin Temkar/The Atlanta Journal-Constitution via ZUMA Press Wire

BOB HUGHES, principal and founding partner of HGOR, speaks at a media tour of the site for the proposed Atlanta Public Safety Training Center near Atlanta. HGOR is the master planner of the site.
© Arvin Temkar/The Atlanta Journal-Constitution via ZUMA Press Wire

Atlanta Law enforcement was out en masse Monday morning, at the site of Atlanta's proposed public safety training center, clearing the woods in anticipation of construction on the controversial facility beginning in earnest.
© John Spink/The Atlanta Journal-Constitution via ZUMA Press Wire

Opponents of the planned public safety training center in DeKalb County descend on Atlanta City Hall during the May 15, 2023, full council meeting to sign up for public comment.
© Riley Bunch/The Atlanta Journal-Constitution via ZUMA Press Wire

A gathering of protesters chants outside Atlanta City Hall prior to the conclusive vote on legislation approving the allocation of funds for the public safety training center.
© Miguel Martinez/The Atlanta Journal-Constitution via ZUMA Press Wire

Protesters confront police at Atlanta City Hall ahead of the final vote to approve legislation to fund the public safety training center.
© Arvin Temkar/The Atlanta Journal-Constitution via ZUMA Press Wire

Protesters gathered on Constitution Road after five individuals were arrested by police at the site of Atlanta's proposed public safety training center after chaining themselves to construction equipment in an effort to halt work.
© John Spink/The Atlanta Journal-Constitution via ZUMA Press Wire