The state of Georgia has appealed a judge’s dismissal of criminal conspiracy charges against 61 individuals linked to opposition against the Atlanta police training centre known as Cop City. The move prolongs a landmark case that could have broad implications for the prosecution of protest movements under racketeering and domestic terrorism laws.
The appeal concerns the use of Georgia’s Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organisations (Rico) Act, a law typically associated with organised crime. The case is the largest in US history to apply Rico against a protest or social movement. If the state court of appeals does not reverse the dismissal, the entire case could collapse.
Separately, a defendant, Francis Carroll, has petitioned the Georgia Supreme Court to challenge the state’s domestic terrorism statute as unconstitutionally vague and overbroad. His lawyer, Michael Schwartz, said prosecutors across the country are watching the outcome. “Other legislatures considering similar legislation could also be influenced by the outcome,” Schwartz noted.
The $109m training centre opened last spring, drawing opposition from environmental and criminal justice groups over concerns about police militarisation and deforestation. Atlanta police say the facility is needed for world-class training. Attorney General Chris Carr, who is running for governor, said: “In Georgia, that is domestic terrorism, and we do not look the other way.”
The legal limbo continues as hundreds of motions from the defendants remain unheard. The case has already seen the state seize personal possessions such as birth certificates and medical records, some of which were returned after media reports.
