Stop Cop City protesters are facing 35 years in prison. Tell Georgia prosecutors to drop the domestic terrorism charges!

Is disruptive activism terrorism? Georgia prosecutors certainly think so. In a move clearly intended to deter protest, Georgia prosecutors have now charged 42 Stop Cop City protesters with domestic terrorism charges related to alleged offenses ranging from camping in tree houses to burning cop cars. These draconian charges carry a possible prison term of 35 years in prison, with a mandatory minimum of five years. 

You may disagree with their tactics, but protest isn’t terrorism, and we have to fight this escalation in anti-protest authoritarianism to protect everyone’s right to collective action. 

The decision to pursue domestic terrorism charges was a highly political one. Police officials gestured to the fact that many of the protesters are from out of state as rationale for charging them with domestic terrorism. Application of the domestic terrorism statute is an escalatory intimidation tactic that is clearly intended to deter would-be protesters from engaging in activism. 

These intimidation tactics are unacceptable, and must be stopped. Georgia prosecutors must drop the domestic terrorism charges against protesters, and avoid charging any future activists under the domestic terrorism statute. 

Tell Georgia prosecutors to drop the charges!