The Atlanta city council approved a bill early Tuesday morning to partially fund a new police and firefighter training center after hundreds of anti-police demonstrators filled the building, according to the Associated Press. It passed by an 11-4 vote.
A new $90 million police and firefighter training facility is set to be built in DeKalb County, Georgia, and has been the topic of anti-police demonstrators calling it “Cop City.” The Associated Press reported. Democratic Mayor Andre Dickens made building training facilities a priority for his administration during his first term. (Related article: Minnesota’s picture of imminent hell is a ‘blueprint’ for left-wing national dreams)
The city council voted to authorize $31 million to build the facility, and to approve a proposal that would require the city to spend $36 million over 30 years to use the facility, according to the Associated Press. The rest of the funding will reportedly come from private donations.
Protesters gathered at Atlanta City Hall for a chance to speak about the project before the city council. according to to AP. The podium was occupied for more than 13 hours as residents tried to speak out against the project.
“If you build it, we’ll burn it,” protesters outside Atlanta City Hall shout.#Stop Cop City pic.twitter.com/5SKNI1syvQ
— Atlanta Community Press Collective (@atlanta_press) June 5, 2023
The protesters are part of “Stop Cop City,” according to the campaign group, claiming that “the Atlanta Police Foundation is building a police military facility for police to train in street warfare.” are criticizing website. The organization said the project included a “military training facility, a mock city for practicing urban warfare, an explosive test site, There are dozens of shooting ranges and a Blackhawk helicopter landing pad. “
The vote came after demonstrators occupied an area still heavily wooded and caused clashes with police. In January, a protester was killed, a Georgia state trooper was injured, and a protester allegedly fired the first shots in a shootout as state troopers attempted to clear the area.
In March, 23 people were charged with domestic terrorism after an alleged attack in which police footage showed a masked person throwing flammables and a machine burning.
The Atlanta City Council and Stop Cop City did not respond to requests for comment.
All content produced by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent, nonpartisan news distribution service, is available free of charge to legitimate news publishers capable of serving large audiences. All reissues must include our company logo, press byline, and DCNF affiliation. If you have any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact us at licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.
