Prosecutors Call Forest Defenders 'Racketeers', Not Police Clearing a Forest for a Firing Range
So, a judge tossed the racketeering charges against 'Cop City' protesters. The mainstream media frames this as a win against overzealous prosecution, conveniently glossing over the fact that these charges were levied against environmental activists defending a forest. These aren't cartel kingpins; they are people trying to stop the deforestation of the South River Forest—Atlanta's 'lungs'—to build
a massive police training facility, complete with a firing range and mock city, funded by corporations like Home Depot and Wells Fargo. The state’s definition of 'racketeering' now apparently includes hugging trees and protesting militarized policing. One might wonder if the real racketeering is performed by the city officials pushing through this project against overwhelming public opposition,
funded by private interests, all while calling environmental protection a criminal enterprise. It appears some government agencies are eager to redefine dissent as organized crime when peaceful protest threatens lucrative public-private partnerships.