Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr is threatening domestic terrorism charges for anyone who incites violence during this weekend’s planned protests against the Trump administration.
But, it’s not the first time domestic terrorism charges have been brought against protesters in the state.
Carr’s warning follows days of largely peaceful demonstrations in Los Angeles over immigration raids. On Tuesday night, a similar protest on Buford Highway ended with tear gas, smashed police cars and at least six arrests.
In a statement, Carr said all Americans have the right to peacefully protest, but not to destroy property or attack law enforcement. He also said that violence “for the purpose of changing public policy” can be considered domestic terrorism and carry a sentence of up to 35 years in prison.
“We are not California or New York,” Carr said. “We are Georgia. We don’t make excuses for criminals here. We prosecute them.”
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp has also said state and local law enforcement are ready to “take whatever appropriate action is needed.”
Meanwhile, advocates have called the threat of being charged with domestic terrorism a scare tactic.
“Law enforcement can monitor protests, they can enforce laws, they can intervene for public safety,” said ACLU National Director of Immigrant Community Strategies Maribel Hernandez Rivera during a recent “Know Your Rights” training held online. “But, they cannot use force to retaliate against peaceful demonstrations. And again, the demonstrations we plan on having on Saturday will be, indeed, peaceful demonstrations.”
Domestic terrorism charges used to be rare in Georgia, but that changed about two years ago with the escalation of protests over the construction of the Atlanta Public Safety Training Center, dubbed “Cop City” by opponents. Several “Stop Cop City” activists are still fighting those charges today.
The ACLU recommends protesters carry a valid government-issued ID, turn off biometrics to unlock phones and exercise the right to remain silent.
Rallies are set to take place across the country on Saturday, coinciding with a military parade and Trump’s 79th birthday in Washington.
“In America, we don’t do kings,” reads a website for the events. “They’ve defied our courts, deported Americans, disappeared people off the streets, attacked our civil rights, and slashed our services. The corruption has gone too far.”
The main Atlanta rally will be held at Liberty Plaza near the state Capitol, starting at 10 a.m. Other rallies will be held that day on the 17th Street Bridge in Midtown, the Clairmont Place retirement community in Decatur, Northlake Festival Shopping Center in Tucker and several other locations throughout metro Atlanta and the state.
