Feelings about Atlanta
How are you feeling right now about the state of Atlanta?
In one word, heartbroken.
The latest events with the murder of Tortuguita on the #StopCopCity movement is terribly chilling. There’s so many things that are painful truths about the situation that it makes the road to improvement seem bleak.
An environmental protestor was killed by law enforcement on Atlanta soil - acts like this are looked down upon when done in other nations, but it’s happened down the street and American politicians are quiet on this painful fact.
This destruction was predictable - after 70% of public comment opposed Cop City, but City Council decided to give Atlanta the middle finger. Civic unrest was expected. Hell, guaranteed. And with civic unrest, there’s always loss of some form or fashion.
What the fuck can we do when our elected leaders don’t want to respect and uphold democracy? I hope it doesn’t, but I imagine things will dissolve more into unrest, violence, and loss. And sadly, all that pain and turmoil could have been easily avoided.
The City of Atlanta had a beautiful, thoughtful design and plan to move the city forward. It was crafted and defined over 5 years ago. Then, in 2021, city leaders took those designs and wiped their asses with em. How depraved are we?
I’m conflicted on this emotion - do I accept that Atlanta elites are about to triple down on Cop City and see that as my reality? Or do I keep resisting this toxic garbage the mainstream wants to adopt?
I have to resist. I’m using to quitting and giving up on ideas, but that’s not helpful for me and my goals. I don’t know what “effective resistance” is to shit like this, but I have to keep it in my mind.
Do not fold. Do not give in easily.
I feel like the biggest sucker also. I tried pushing for people to become educated about engaging with leadership in Atlanta. With the Code for Atlanta community, we drafted light-educational resources on Atlanta Civics. But what the fuck for? For residents to form coalitions, use their voice and get dismissed? What would I even tell other people to encourage they check things out - “Hey, here’s instructions on how to share your ideas for changing Atlanta to a wall. Yeah, the wall will ignore you completely.”
So numb and dejected. Going to take time to sit and be with those feelings, but hope to get with others who are still pushing to stop cop city, plus those who are familiar with the lows of activism and organizing. No shortage of lows and losses - so will be looking to the history of others who continued to fight even when all felt lost.