On Monday, protesters against so-called “Cop City” plan to submit about 108,000 signatures to try to force a ballot initiative that could prevent the training facility from being built.

“They’re willing to throw out the entire process in the city of Atlanta’s charter that permits these kinds of initiatives,” says Tiffany Roberts, policy director at Southern Center for Human Rights, which has helped connect protesters with legal representation.

On Sept. 5, Georgia’s Republican Attorney General Chris Carr indicted 61 people on racketeering charges following a state investigation into ‘Cop City’ protests.

“The 61 defendants together have conspired to prevent the construction of the Atlanta Public Safety Training Center by conducting, coordinating and organizing acts of violence, intimidation and property destruction,” Carr said during a news conference.

Attorney Matt Bass, who represents ​​four of the defendants accused of racketeering, says the use of RICO charges in this way makes protesters “criminally liable for the bad acts of a few.”

If enough signatures are verified in the ballot initiative effort, citizens will be able to voice their opinions on the project by exercising a different right: they’ll be able to render a judgment on Cop City with a vote.

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