As previously mentioned, last week a young forest defender in Atlanta was shot and killed protesting the construction of a police training facility derisively nicknamed Cop City. Law enforcement described the circumstances surrounding Manuel “Tortugita” Teran’s death as a “firefight” during which a Georgia state trooper also sustained a gunshot wound to the abdomen. That trooper is in stable condition, but law enforcement officials have produced no evidence supporting their claim that this was indeed a firefight. I’m not convinced this police officer wasn’t hit by friendly fire as these officers overzealously cleared a forest of protesters.
There’s really no greater proof of the problem with policing and no greater illustration that we live in a police state than having police officers shoot and kill protestors because they want to create a Cop City where they can “practice being police”. In order to practice for the job they already have, they need to first kill anyone who gets in their way.
Law enforcement supporters and critics of these forest defenders have continually labeled their methods and movement as “violent,” pointing to acts of arson or property destruction as evidence. To their point, protesters in downtown Atlanta set a cop car on fire this weekend. But if burning a police car or smashing a bank window is violence then what do we call destroying 300 acres of forest?
Side Items
Monterrey Park Shooter Update: 72-year-old Huu Can Tran was identified as the guy who killed ten innocent civilians at a Lunar New Year celebration this weekend in California. Tran was on the run for a few hours after the shooting, allegedly attempting to attack another dance studio and eluding detection from police, but eventually his van was identified and surrounded, wherein he engaged in a standoff with police in Torrance, CA, before taking his own life via a self-inflicted gunshot wound. No more needs to be said about the attacker, but it’s another tragic reminder of how life can easily be extinguished in this country
Cowboys Lose: I don’t follow much American football, but I always make a point to enjoy a season-ending loss by “America’s team”, the forever hopeless cowboys from Dallas. Owned by the racist skeleton of Jerry Jones, supported by the wealthy oil scum of North Texas, this hapless band of misfits just can’t seem to string together two playoff wins. Their tears are the elixir that restores my youth and brings vigor to my day
Premier League Update: Liverpool continued their miserable run this weekend, scorelessly drawing at home to Chelsea, another of this season’s mid-table flops. Chelsea are an interesting case study, as their struggles come despite the fact that the new American owner has spent close to half a billion dollars in transfer fees in the past few months. Meanwhile, Arsenal continued their dominant run with a clutch 3-2 victory over Manchester United yesterday, maintaining a five point lead at the top of the table. Manchester City’s Erling Haaland spent the weekend bagging another hat trick and scoring his 25th Premier League goal of the season, extending his lead in the Golden Boot race and keeping the defending champions within sight of the Gunners