The article discusses the controversial Cop City training center in Atlanta, set to begin operations soon. The $110 million campus includes a mock city for police training, military vet training center, and various other facilities. The project faced backlash from activists, with protests and legal challenges highlighting concerns about police violence and environmental damage.

The development of Cop City comes in the wake of the Black Lives Matter movement, which called for police reform and defunding. Despite protests and calls for change, police budgets have increased in many parts of the U.S., including Atlanta. The article also highlights the connections between the Atlanta Police Foundation, Cop City, and pro-Israel interests, raising concerns about militarization and surveillance of protesters.

The article details the protests against Cop City, including the occupation of the South River Forest by activists. The response from authorities escalated, leading to arrests and charges of domestic terrorism against protesters. The legal challenges faced by activists, including RICO charges and allegations of violating protesters’ rights, underscore the ongoing tensions between law enforcement and community activists in Atlanta.