Officials from the City of Atlanta have refused to verify tens of thousands of signatures submitted by activists who have been trying for two years to stop the construction of a police and firefighter training center
Activists haul dozens of boxes full of signed petitions to Atlanta City Hall, Monday, Sept. 11, 2023, to force a referendum on the future of a planned police and firefighter training center. Shortly after, though, Atlanta officials refused to accept the paperwork for processing, saying the city is awaiting a court decision over whether the petitions had been turned in on time.
The city's latest move took activists by surprise and further outraged organizers, who have accused officials of trying to illegitimately push through the construction of the project in an urban forest. Environmentalists and anti-police protesters across the country have rallied against the center. “The city is not in a position, does not have discretion, to choose to accept the petitions today, at least not to start the 50-day clock,” attorney Robert Ashe told reporters during a virtual news conference.
The city had previously said it plans to pore over each signature and toss any that do not meet the qualifications, unless the resident fixes the issue. Dickens, one of the chief proponents of the training center, has said he didn't believe the petition drive would be successful “if it’s done honestly.”
But the city says none of the forms will be examined until it gets a decision from the appeals court. In prior legal filings, city and state attorneys have called the effort to allow voters to decide the issue “futile" and “invalid," saying the state's referendum process does not allow for the reversal of the city's lease agreement central to the project.
Malaysia Latest News, Malaysia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
'Stop Cop City' petition campaign in limbo as Atlanta officials refuse to process signaturesOfficials from the City of Atlanta have refused to verify tens of thousands of signatures submitted by activists who have been trying for two years to stop the construction of a police and firefighter training center.
Read more »
'Stop Cop City' petition campaign in limbo as Atlanta officials refuse to process signaturesOfficials from the City of Atlanta have refused to verify tens of thousands of signatures submitted by activists who have been trying for two years to stop the construction of a police and firefighter training center
Read more »
Georgia criminalizing post-George Floyd protests is a new blow to democracyIn the city where MLK once rose, GOP prosecutors are making dissent over Cop City a felony, with major implications for 2024.
Read more »
Carolina Panthers vs Atlanta Falcons Line MovementNFL line and odds movement for Carolina Panthers vs Atlanta Falcons on Sep 10, 2023.
Read more »
Atlanta Falcons Schedule, Live Scores & ResultsStay Up-To-Date With The Latest Atlanta Falcons Schedule, Live Scores, And Results For The 2023-2024 NFL Season!
Read more »
Carolina vs Atlanta Stats & Past Results - NFL Game on September 10, 2023Carolina vs Atlanta in NFL History: Check Past Results And Stats For Insights On The Game - September 10, 2023!
Read more »