In episode 2: the Hot Seat, we hear from Jacqueline Echols about what’s happening in Atlanta where the South River Forest - one of the four “city lungs” - is under attack. Advocates and residents are rallying against a massive police training facility set for development on nearly 85 acres of beloved green space. Dr. Echols is an environmental justice advocate for 25 years and board president of the South River Watershed Alliance, an organization working to protect the river and adjacent forest ecosystem. Her more than two decades of work to improve water quality in Atlanta’s waterways and protect the city’s tree canopy earned her the 2017 Environmental Hero Award.

The forest in Southeast Atlanta is home to wetlands that filter rainwater, prevent flooding, and help the city stay resilient in the face of climate change. As Jacqueline impassionately shares, the proposed $90 million dollar training facility dubbed “Cop City” has sparked outrage from community members, where local officials are offering a red carpet layout under the pretext of preventing crime. The closest neighborhood to the forest is 77 percent Black and still reeling from ongoing protests against police brutality and racial injustice. Its residents will feel the immediate impacts of police presence and the loss of park space for generations to come.

This season, we’re honored to join forces with Prism - a nonprofit newsroom led by journalists of color to go deep into the stories behind environmental racism. Our co-founder and host Shilpi Chhotray and Prism’s climate justice reporter, Ray Levy Uyeda, investigate the symbiotic relationship between a rich ecosystem and the well-being of its community, and how “Cop City” threatens these safe spaces.

Key themes explored:

• How does Cop City impact health issues, both physical and mental, with which the majority- Black community is already disproportionately affected?
• Who is backing Cop City?
• What does organizing against Cop City look like- including demonstrations, environmental analysis, and research aimed at city officials?
• What is the link between environmental justice and racial justice?

Tune in to the latest episode, The Hot Seat, to find out.

Visit People over Plastic’s website to learn more about us and continue the conversation by sharing this episode on Instagram and Twitter.

RESOURCES:

• Prism article: ‘Atlanta community members warn of environmental damage from ‘Cop City’ written by Ray Levy Uyeda
• Take action at SouthRiverGa.org to demand environmental justice along the river and consider making a donation.
• Jacqueline’s story in CNN: Atlanta wants to build a massive police training facility in a forest. Neighbors are fighting to stop it

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