The State Is Wielding Grand Jury Subpoenas Against Cop City Activists

The battle against the Atlanta Public Safety Training Center, dubbed "Cop City" by opponents, continues as activists organize various actions to delay and stop the construction of the militarized police facility. Investigations into the sabotage of construction equipment have led to activists being targeted with threatening tactics, including grand jury subpoenas. One activist, Cyprus Hartford, was served a subpoena while on tour, compelling their testimony in an arson investigation related to the Cop City project. Grand juries are a powerful tool of state repression, as they suspend many legal protections and can be used to compel testimony that could incriminate activists and their communities. Hartford refused to comply with the subpoena, citing the undemocratic nature of grand juries and the need to protect their fellow activists. The strong support network and community solidarity that Hartford was able to tap into allowed them to successfully have the subpoena quashed, highlighting the importance of activists standing together against grand jury repression. The article emphasizes the need for activists to communicate about grand jury summons and to maintain a united, strong, and unafraid front in the face of state efforts to silence the movement against Cop City.