photo: @protest_nyc

Welcome, to This Is America, June 5th, 2023.

On today’s episode, we start off with a discussion on recent protests in New York City, following the vigilante murder of Jordan Neely on a subway train last month. We talk about how the murder of Neely comes amidst growing calls to attack poor and houseless people, especially from Democratic leaders of large cities, like Eric Adams in New York. We then offer up an anarchist analysis of the unfolding electoral terrain as more Republicans enter into the 2024 race and Democrats embrace a right-ward shift around immigration and “crime.”

All this and more, but first, let’s get to the news!

In the lead up to an upcoming week of action against the Cop City project in Atlanta, police carried out a raid against the Atlanta Solidarity Fund, a non-profit which provides bail for demonstrators arrested by the police and connects them with lawyers. The raid also comes before a major vote on the project’s funding, and amid news that the counter-insurgency training center will cost millions more in public funds that originally reported by local politicians. Leaked scanner conversations between police officers following the raid also show officers stating that the repression was carried out to suppress protest organizing in the lead up to the vote. Following the raid, over 150 rallied outside of the DeKalb County jail to demand the three volunteers be released and charges be dropped.

#StopCopCity Week of Action has been announced for June 24-July 1, 2023 in Atlanta, GA. pic.twitter.com/UmD9bXCvHy

— Defend the Atlanta Forest (@defendATLforest) April 20, 2023

In the wake of the raid, on June 5th, over a thousand people rallied at Atlanta city hall, calling for the city council to vote against funding the project. As this episode was being recorded, over 100 people had already spoken out against the project, many calling on the public to continue to resist regardless of how the council votes, as protesters rallied outside with banners and food, chanting, “If you build it, we will burn it.”

Only ~50 of the 357 people signed up for public comment have spoken so far w/ the promise that more can sign up at the end of that 357.

We are prepared to stay all night & be here tomorrow.

Join us at the #citycouncilsleepover whenever you can#StopCopCity https://t.co/oYr2txbghK

— Defend the Atlanta Forest (@defendATLforest) June 5, 2023

Our first audio presentation includes a selection of several public statements from speakers opposed to the project, including a statement from those targeted in the recent raid against the Atlanta Solidarity Fund. At the time of this recording, it remains unclear as to what will happen with regards to the vote around Cop City or how long the comments against it will continue (activists are currently calling on people to stay overnight), but be sure to check back on IGD for more updates.

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