The City of Atlanta's legal team has dismissed an ongoing petition to halt the construction of a new police and firefighter training facility as "futile" and "invalid." In a recent court filing, they argued against the proposed referendum's inclusion on the November ballot.
Activists from the "Stop Cop City" movement have been working to collect over 70,000 signatures from registered Atlanta voters by August 15th. Their goal is to trigger a public vote on the controversial project, a focal point in national discussions about policing. The referendum would ask voters to repeal the ordinance allowing the lease of city land for the training center.
The city's attorneys contend that the petition drive is too late, stating that the 2021 authorization for the land lease has already been executed and cannot be reversed. Activists have strongly criticized this argument, labeling it an attack on democratic processes and accusing the city of obstructing public participation in local decisions.
This legal maneuver follows Mayor Andre Dickens' earlier assurance that his administration wouldn't interfere with the petition drive. He had expressed confidence in the referendum's likely failure if conducted fairly. The mayor's office now attributes the legal battle to a lawsuit filed by DeKalb County residents who are ineligible to sign the petition due to residing outside city limits. They claim the city was forced to respond to this legal action.
The $90 million training center is intended to replace outdated facilities and improve police recruitment and retention, which have suffered since the nationwide protests against police brutality and racial injustice three years ago. Opponents, including activists from across the country, express concerns about increased police militarization and environmental harm to a predominantly Black, lower-income neighborhood. The "Stop Cop City" movement, spanning over two years, has at times involved vandalism and violence.
Organizers have drawn inspiration from a successful referendum in Camden County, where residents voted to prevent a spaceport construction. While the Georgia Supreme Court upheld the legality of that referendum, it remains unclear whether citizens can overturn city government decisions in the same way.
