Stopping Cop City: Coal’s Story

Coal (he/they) is organizing a solidarity group in Springfield, Illinois, for the Movement to Defend Atlanta's Forest and Stop Cop City. He understands that what happens in Atlanta will have wide-reaching impacts — from environmental devastation to the way such a huge, hyper-militarized police training facility would set a precedent for similar projects across the nation.

In this second episode in the Stopping Cop City series, Avery deconstructs "outside agitator" rhetoric, while Coal offers their insights on how to support the movement from afar. Together, they also discuss trans intersections and the power behind being able to laugh at our oppressors.

Check out Coal's Springfield Stop Cop City group @217dtaf on Instagram.

Click here for an episode transcript.

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Talking Points:

(0:00) Avery delves into the rhetoric of "outside agitators," and how it has been used to repress revolution in the US South from the pre-Civil War era, through the Civil Rights Movement, and now with Cop City.

(6:35) Coal discusses his Springfield solidarity group and why everyone should care about the movement to Defend Atlanta's Forest

(12:40) Finding out about the movement through music

(14:33) Coal's visit to Atlanta for March's Week of Action — a concert derailed; protests with passion

(18:30) Connections between the forest movement and movements for trans rights

(22:24) Maintaining energy for the fight — self-care, camaraderie, the power of memes & humor

(29:20 - end) Wrapping up — what's going on right now with forest clearing

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Further reading:

⁠Click here for the article Coal recommended⁠ on how Cop City opposition has spread beyond Atlanta.

⁠For more on the history of rhetoric about "outside agitators," click here⁠.

Finally, ⁠find ways you can help Stop Cop City here⁠.

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This show's theme song is "Aetherium" by Leah Horn. This episode also makes use of "Beaconsfield Villas Stomp" by Doctor Turtle.