Hundreds rally against 'Cop City' ahead of Atlanta City Council vote

Community members speak in opposition of the construction of a new Public Safety Training Center in the South River Forest at an Atlanta City Council meeting on Monday, May 15, 2023. (Matthew Pearson/WABE)

The Atlanta City Council is moving forward with a vote to allocate millions of dollars to a private nonprofit that plans to build a controversial police and firefighter training center in South DeKalb County.

It’s the area where a protester, Manuel Esteban Paez Teran, was shot and killed by state troopers during a clearing operation in January. It’s also known as “Cop City.”

Councilmember Dustin Hillis introduced the ordinance Monday night after more than seven hours of public comment opposing the project.