ATLANTA — Hundreds of people filled the atrium of Atlanta’s City Hall and overflowed outside as those for and against the city’s public safety training center let their voices be heard as the city council weighed a vote over funding for the project.
People started gathering in the atrium around 11 a.m. Monday, with many who started chanting and voicing their opposition to the training center.
Both supporters and those against the training facility lined up to voice their opinion about the project.
Individuals told Channel 2 investigative reporter Ashli Lincoln that not only are they speaking out about not wanting this facility being built, but they are also speaking against the recent arrest of three people who were arrested and charged on allegations of money laundering and charity fraud in connection to nonprofit police say is fueling violent protests against the facility.
Lincoln spoke to one of those individuals arrested who is now out on bond.
“Even though we have been released from jail, we are still living in fear constantly,” activist Marlon Scott Kautz said. “We know that we have broken no laws, we know that we are justified in the work that we do and it’s important community work, and we’re going to continue doing regardless.”
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Another activist said they are not being represented.
“We won’t stop until our representative officials represent us instead of the needs of a private organization. There will be more protests, there will be more community action despite the fact that APF and APD have been tearing down and attacking activists unjustly,” activist Waller Goble said.
Supporters for the facility welcome the development, saying the current training centers are old and outdated.
One supporter said it’s the proper use of tax dollars to keep law enforcement trained with growing crime trends.
“This is a win-win for Atlanta. It’s hard to believe that citizens would be against a private entity raising funds from Atlanta citizens to lessen the tax burden. The Atlanta Police Foundation has done an excellent job in raising private funds for this purpose. Atlanta would be safer with a better training facility” supporter Lou Arcangeli said. “Atlanta’s training facilities have not kept pace with the needs of the department.”
There were 357 people signed up to speak originally Monday but the council opened it up to everyone, so public comment will likely go well into the night.
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