Hundreds protest as Atlanta approves money for police campus

A crowd gathered Monday in Atlanta’s City Hall to oppose the construction of an 85-acre police and firefighter training campus. Residents and activists spoke against the project during a 14-hourlong public comment session before the city council voted 11-4 early Tuesday morning to approve final funding for the project. Councilmembers approved $31 million in public funds for the site construction, as well as a provision that requires the city to pay $36 million over the course of 30 years to use the facility. The rest of the $90 million project will be funded through private donations.

How have opponents protested the project? Activists have held multiple demonstrations in Atlanta and at the training center site. Police shot and killed one protester in January after officials said he shot and wounded a state trooper. Opponents say the facilities will increase tension between police and residents, but Mayor Andre Dickens said the campus will better prepare emergency responders “to protect and serve.”

Dig Deeper: Read Addie Offereins’ report in Compassion about how police need staff boosts, not just budgets.