FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Atlanta Loses Bid for 2024 Democratic National Convention as City Leaders Continue Undemocratic Push to Build 'Cop City'
The Democratic National Convention (DNC) has selected Chicago as the host city for the 2024 DNC. The decision came as a shock to many, as Atlanta was widely considered to be the favorite to host the major event. But shock evaded those who have watched the lack of leadership Mayor Andre Dickens has displayed in responding to Cop City protests where climate activist, Manuel "Tortugita" Esteban Páez Terán, was murdered by police on January 18th, 2023.
Mayor Dickens and a coalition of Atlanta boosters had spent months urging President Biden to select Atlanta as the site for the 2024 Democratic National Convention. Dickens had reportedly flown to Washington, D.C. multiple times to pitch President Biden on Atlanta as the host site.
However, as protests rage in Atlanta over the city's attempt to destroy at least 85 acres of forest land and to build the largest urban wafare center in the nation, Atlanta residents were not as enthused about the DNC.
In March 2023, a coalition formed to "reject Mayor Dickens' campaign to bring the 2024 DNC to Atlanta until he cancels plans to build Cop City."
In Atlanta leaders' push to build Cop City, a protester has been killed by police and 42 people have been charged with domestic terrorism, in a move that has been widely denounced by human rights and free speech experts.
"The repression of protected speech is clearly bad for business. Atlanta officials continue to compromise the city's future and ability to attract major events by investing in unpopular and undemocratic projects like Cop City," said Keyanna Jones, an organizer with Community Movement Builders. "What else are they willing to sacrifice?"
We reject Mayor Dickens’ campaign to bring the 2024 DNC to Atlanta until he cancels plans to build Cop City. We refuse to remain silent as those who repress our first amendment rights pretend our city is a beacon of progress. We want to be very clear: if Atlanta is selected for the 2024 DNC and the push to build Cop City continues, there will be massive, unyielding protests throughout the convention in Atlanta’s tradition of righteous civil disobedience.
Stop Cop City: No DNC in ATL
The Stop Cop City movement has been making “Good Trouble” since its inception. But while Atlanta’s Democratic leadership courts the Democratic National Convention, it is deploying repressive tactics toward protestors. In January, Georgia police murdered a forest defender, Manuel “Tortugita” Paez Terán. At least 42 people have been charged with domestic terrorism, in a move that human rights watchdogs have warned may constitute a First Amendment violation. Police continue to use militarized tactics and extreme violence against protesters.
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No DNC in ATL
Sign-On Letter
To President Biden:
We are organizers, faith leaders, environmentalists, students, teachers, abolitionists, indigenous activists, parents, voting rights advocates, and concerned citizens of Atlanta.
We represent the diversity of Atlanta’s storied legacy to pursue justice in the face of repression. For the past two years, our coalition has fought the proposed destruction of at least 85 acres of forested land in southeast Atlanta to create what would be the largest police militarization facility in the country, or “Cop City.” This land is critical greenspace in a majority Black community, in what experts say is the city's best defense against climate change.
Since the plan to build Cop City was proposed in 2021, our communities have opposed it. We marched, petitioned, canvassed our neighborhoods, and spoke repeatedly at public City Council meetings. On the day of the final vote, residents delivered over 17 hours of public comment, with the vast majority opposing the facility.
The Stop Cop City movement has been making “Good Trouble” since its inception. But while Atlanta’s Democratic leadership courts the Democratic National Convention, it is deploying repressive tactics toward protestors. In January, Georgia police murdered a forest defender, Manuel “Tortugita” Paez Terán. At least 42 people have been charged with domestic terrorism, in a move that human rights watchdogs have warned may constitute a First Amendment violation. Police continue to use militarized tactics and extreme violence against protesters.
Meanwhile, our communities are suffering. Atlanta has the highest income inequality in America and faces an ongoing housing crisis. Thousands of Atlantans became homeless during the pandemic, yet our leadership failed to deploy $10 million of rental relief provided through the American Rescue Plan. Last year, one of only two Level-1 trauma centers in Atlanta closed. In 2022, the City Council reversed its promise to convert its city jail into a community resource center. But in the midst of so many unmet needs, the City chose instead to invest $30 million dollars in Cop City.
We reject Mayor Dickens’ campaign to bring the 2024 DNC to Atlanta. We refuse to remain silent as those who repress our first amendment rights pretend our city is a beacon of progress. We want to be very clear: if Atlanta is selected for the 2024 DNC and the push to build Cop City continues, there will be massive, unyielding protests throughout the convention in Atlanta’s tradition of righteous civil disobedience.
We hope you will join us in denouncing Cop City and the environmental devastation and police militarization that it entails.