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Defector
@defectormedia

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"The indictment is first and foremost an attack on the 61 people currently charged. Prosecutors know that even if they cannot secure convictions, they can attempt to ruin people’s lives in the process. Charges do not have to stick in order for the state to inflict damage on someone’s life, whether through traumatic and potentially deadly time spent in pretrial detention, or the many collateral consequences of the prosecutions. Already, various #StopCopCity defendants have lost jobs, been banned from their campuses, had their bank accounts closed, faced discrimination at airports, and more. The mark of domestic terrorism is intended to hang over defendants’ heads for as long as possible. Beyond an attack on those named in the indictment, the state is also sending a message to anyone else who opposes Cop City: 'You could be next. Continue to fight against Cop City at your own peril, because we’ll happily add your name to the indictment.' You want to bail political prisoners out of jail? Write to incarcerated comrades? Attend a protest? Organize your neighbors? Tweet about police repression? Perhaps even just sign a petition to put Cop City to a direct vote by Atlanta residents? These might all be evidence of participation in the made-up organization the state is calling 'Defend the Atlanta Forest.'" Read Micah Herskind's full essay over on Defector. Photo: Andrew Lichtenstein/Corbis via Getty Images