Latest arrests of 'Cop City' protesters 'feel like overreach', experts say

Source: The Guardian

Latest arrests of ‘Cop City’ protesters ‘feel like overreach’, experts say

Three activists protesting the planned facility were charged under a little-known Georgia law, raising first amendment concerns

Timothy Pratt in Atlanta
Sat 13 May 2023 11.00 BST
Last modified on Sat 13 May 2023 11.48 BST

Three activists have been arrested in confusing circumstances and charged under a little-known Georgia law – an apparent tightening of the state’s criminal justice system in response to a movement opposing the building of a huge police and fire department training center known as “Cop City” near Atlanta.

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In the ensuing months, dozens of protesters have been arrested and charged under a state domestic terrorism law – another first in US law enforcement response to environmental activism. Now the state appears to have added a legal arrow to its quiver, after Salcedo called local police on the three activists driving through his neighborhood in Cartersville. Two were leaving flyers under the flags on mailboxes in front of each house, while a third was a passenger, according to Foster.

The sheriff’s report indicates Salcedo saw the van drive by, leaving flyers on mailboxes, and “felt harassed and intimidated by these actions and wished to have them prosecuted”.

The flyer features a large-type, bold-faced heading. Written as if by a resident, it reads: “Dear Neighbor, a murderer lives in our neighborhood!”

The same flyer was made for several of the officers involved in the shooting; only the name and street location of the officer’s residence varies. It explains some of the incident, including that Tortuguita’s body sustained 57 gunshot wounds, according to the DeKalb county autopsy report. The flyer does not include physical or other threats. It finishes by stating that the officer “has blood on his hands and he lives in our neighborhood”.

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Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/may/13/cop-city-activists-arrests-georgia-law

No-registration link: https://news.yahoo.com/latest-arrests-cop-city-protesters-100019602.html