Stop Cop City! with Kamau Franklin

Episode 13 of Redneck Gone Green

Howdy folks,

It is my pleasure to share that our guest for the Oct 31, 2023 episode of Redneck Gone Green will be Kamau Franklin, founder of Community Movement Builders (CMB) in Atlanta. CMB is one of the key organizations educating, organizing and mobilizing a powerful grassroots movement to STOP COP CITY.

We broadcast live at  6pm Eastern 3pm Pacific. You can join us here on Youtube. You can also join us on Rumble. Please share this substack- and our broadcasts– with your friends and on your social networks!

Onward to the world we deserve,
David Cobb (he/him)
Why I put my pronouns in my email signature

Community Movement Builders and the A Fight to Stop Cop City in Atlanta

One of the most important US-based struggles against the interconnected evils of racism, capitalism and militarism is being waged in Atlanta, Georgia, A broad coalition of  passionate and determined community members are fighting to protect a forest and their community from a controversial project known as "Cop City." 

Cop City is a contentious proposal to construct a massive new militarized police training facility on a 300-acre forest in South Atlanta. This project symbolizes an expansion of police repression, and a significant misallocation of resources that is desperately needed  to address urgent needs in the community. If built, Cop City will be the largest police training facility in the US. To add insult to injury, the proposed site is in the Weelaunee Forest, a watershed surrounded by primarily Black residents who overwhelmingly oppose the project.

The plans include military-grade training facilities, a mock city to practice urban warfare, dozens of shooting ranges, and a Black Hawk helicopter landing pad.

A broad and diverse coalition of groups and individuals have come together to Stop Cop City. 

One of the leading organizations is Community Movement Builders (CMB), who have a long-history of organizing, educating and advocating in Atlanta.  CMB has persistently argued that before pouring millions into constructing a new police training facility, the city should first address the systemic issues within the current police force. They call for increased transparency, measures to address police misconduct, and accountability for instances of excessive use of force.

CMB members contend that resources should be redirected towards community programs and social services that uplift the marginalized communities disproportionately affected by police violence. Rather than expanding the police presence, CMB insists that the city should prioritize investment in education, affordable housing, and healthcare.

Deepers still, CMB has a clear vision for a more equitable Atlanta. They advocate for community-centered solutions that address the root causes of crime and social disparities. This includes increased investment in youth programs, mental health services, addiction treatment, and job training, all of which are designed to create opportunities and reduce the reliance on punitive measures.

CMB's perspective is that communities should be empowered to address their unique challenges, rather than relying on a police force that has historically been the source of tension and violence in many neighborhoods. They argue that by investing in the community itself, Atlanta can create a safer and more just environment for all its residents.

At the core of the CMB vision is the issue of racial justice. They point out that the proposed Cop City would disproportionately affect Black and marginalized communities in South Atlanta, echoing a pattern of systemic racism that has long plagued the city. CMB emphasizes that the fight against Cop City is a fight for racial justice, aiming to challenge the racial disparities that exist in policing and the criminal justice system.

They argue that allocating vast resources to expand the police force perpetuates a cycle of over-policing, mass incarceration, and the criminalization of Black and Brown communities. Instead, they propose that the city should divert funds towards policies that promote economic equity, educational opportunities, and affordable housing to address the root causes of crime in these communities.

CMB’s  perspective on the fight against Cop City is one of community solidarity and collective action. They know  that by joining forces with other organizations and community members, they can amplify their message and bring about meaningful change. The fight against Cop City has united diverse voices in Atlanta, all united by a common goal – a more just, equitable, and safer city for everyone.

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About Kamau Franklin

Kamau Franklin is the founder of Community Movement Builders, and  has been a dedicated community organizer for over thirty years, beginning in New York City and now based in Atlanta. 

For 18 of those years, Kamau was a leading member of a national grassroots organization dedicated to the ideas of self-determination and the teachings of Malcolm X.

He has spearheaded organizing work in various areas including youth organizing and development, police misconduct, and the development of sustainable urban communities. 

Kamau has coordinated and led community cop-watch programs, liberation/freedom schools for youth, electoral and policy campaigns, large-scale community gardens, organizing collectives and alternatives to incarceration programs. Kamau was an attorney for ten years in New York with his own practice in criminal, civil rights and transactional law. He now lives in Atlanta, Georgia with his wife and two children.