ATLANTA, Ga.—The 61 individuals police arrested for alleged racketeering and other alleged crimes aren’t short on allies in their quest to prevent the creation of the Atlanta Public Safety Training Center.
Activists have disparagingly called the center “Cop City” and mounted an international campaign to stop its construction.
Between 100 and 200 protesters chanted and waved signs outside the Fulton County Superior Court during arraignment hearings, calling for the release of the 61 individuals.
While the Nov. 6 protest was peaceful, signs threatening to “get nasty” if the accused weren’t released and speeches saying America “doesn’t deserve peace” struck ominous notes.
“We are hoping to accomplish that the charges be dropped,” Geovani Serrano, a protester at the event, told The Epoch Times.
“But at the same time, to let the city know that we haven’t stopped. We will find a way to continue fighting, and we will not let Cop City be built.”
“Atlanta don’t deserve our nonviolence,” said Mary Hooks, the national field secretary for the Movement for Black Lives. “America [expletive] deserves our violence. This country don’t deserve nonviolence.”
The crowd cheered and clapped.
“You lucky, you lucky we don’t want revenge,” she said. “We want transformation.”
