WRF in Solidarity with #StopCopCity Movement & Angela Davis’ Decision to Return City Proclamation

Atlanta, Georgia — The Walter Rodney Foundation (WRF) stands in solidarity with Atlanta residents, the Atlanta University Center faculty, alumni and students, organizers, educators, activists, and hundreds of local, national, and international stakeholders, including Community Movement Builders and the Defend The Atlanta Forest coalition, that are calling for an immediate cancellation of ‘Cop City', the $90M, 85-acre project in the South River Forest. The objections by the #StopCopCity movement lie squarely at the intersection of racial, environmental, economic, and social justice.

Promoted as an enhancement of public safety, Cop City symbolizes continued police militarization and nationalization, and is believed to be one of the largest counterinsurgency and surveillance facilities in the United States. The Cop City model expands police militarization and prison mandates, and perpetuates systemic oppression and violence against marginalized people. It is a continuation of the slave patrol legacy and context of the neocolonial capitalist war against primarily Black oppressed communities.

The City of Atlanta is urged to listen to the voices of the people and prioritize the safety and well-being of its residents. Instead of allocating resources towards Cop City, there are calls for the city to invest in community-led programs and initiatives that address the root causes of crime and violence, such as: education, healthcare, housing, jobs, food, and other community-based programs that provide resources and support; as well as policies and programs that center the needs of marginalized communities, and preserve the natural environment.

The development of Cop City has already exacerbated issues of police violence and state repression of activists, with the police-killing of a young eco-activist Manuel Esteban ‘Tortuguita’ Paez Perán, as well as the arrest of over 35 protestors, dozens of whom are being charged with ‘domestic terrorism’.

Atlanta is considered the historical epicenter for civil rights and social justice — a Black Mecca — a large Black populace with Black leadership. However, the City’s leadership is acting in defiance of the wishes of Black residents in voting for Cop City. It is under conditions like this that Dr. Walter Rodney encourages us to examine the role of Black people in positions of power — it “should not be mistaken for power or political participation or the exercise of individual freedom,” — there is no true power or control over the economic base, and serves instead as an intermediary for capital. This plays a crucial role in the maintenance of the status quo and the perpetuation of oppression, particularly of marginalized peoples.

We stand in solidarity with Dr. Angela Davis’ return of the Proclamation presented to her by the Atlanta City Council during our 20th Annual Walter Rodney Symposium, which takes place in proximity to Dr. Rodney’s date of birth. It has been tradition that a proclamation is sought to celebrate Walter Rodney Day — this practice now requires further contemplation. The intent of the Walter Rodney Foundation this year, in seeking a declaration of Angela Y. Davis Day, was to similarly honor Dr. Davis as a scholar-activist, and her life-long service and commitment to issues of economic, racial, gender, environmental, and social justice, and prison abolition.

The presentation of the proclamation by Councilman Jason Dozier was a surprise to Dr. Davis, during which there were persistent, and supported, audience chants to “Stop Cop City”. Councilman Dozier’s agreement with the protest calls does not overcome the contradiction that other members of the Atlanta City Council, signatories to the proclamation, voted in favor of the construction of this massive police training facility.

Walter Rodney stood against police violence, state oppression, exploitation, system racism and racial capitalism. This is a teachable moment for the Walter Rodney Foundation. We acknowledge the inherent contradictions of Angela Y. Davis receiving a proclamation signed by the same officials responsible for voting for the construction of Copy City at our annual symposium, which celebrates the life, works, legacy, and values of Dr. Walter Rodney.