In Jacario Wilson’s opinion, if Atlanta really wants reduce violence among teens and young adults, it must take a proactive approach to the problem. “The youth is crashing,” the 23-year-old said. “A lot of people not really worried about the youth [until] they’re in their face ready to call the cops on them, and then […]
Criminal Justice
Posted inIncarceration, Politics & Policy
After Over a Year in ICE Detention, Double Amputee Rodney Taylor Released
After over a year in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention, Rodney Taylor has been released from the Stewart Detention Center in Stewart County. The Georgia barber’s family shared the news of his release on social media over the weekend. “Thank you to everyone who protested, called, emailed, shared and donated, your collective efforts made […]
Posted inPublic Safety
Atlanta Teens Want a Voice in the Fight to Stop Gun Violence
As summer approaches, the need to get a handle on the gun violence that is being perpetrated in recent weeks by and against Atlanta’s teens and young adults has taken center stage. After two deadly weekends in a row claimed the lives of 16-year-old Tianah Robinson and 12-year-old Cameron Coney and left other kids wounded, […]
Posted inIncarceration, Politics & Policy
With Police Help, There Are 41 Arrests of Immigrants Per Day in Georgia
There were 41 arrests of immigrants per day in Georgia in February. The state currently ranks fifth in number of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrests nationwide. This 85% year-over-year increase in daily arrests represent the latest figures on immigrant detentions according to the Deportation Data Project. Aiding the rise is the number of sheriff’s […]
Posted inCriminal Justice, Higher Education
Emory Law Kicks Out Student Who Repeatedly Used Anti-Black Slurs
Emory University announced Thursday that the student who wrote, “I’ve reached the conclusion that for me to survive, I must stomp on niggers,” in a March 9 email to a professor was no longer associated with the university following a thorough review. The school declined to provide any details citing federal privacy guidelines. “Emory will […]
Posted inCulture, Public Safety
After 404 Day Backlash, New Proposal Stirs Fears of Crackdown on Black Atlanta Events
In the aftermath of the fatal shooting that took the life of a young teen after a 404 Day celebration earlier this month, legislation aimed at increasing scrutiny of events hosted at Piedmont Park is raising discrimination concerns. Atlanta City Councilmember Alex Wan was inundated with hundreds of calls and emails following the April 4 […]
Posted inClimate Change, Criminal Justice, Economic Development, Environmental Justice, Policing, Politics & Policy
Atlanta’s ‘Cop City’ Makes a Black Neighborhood a Testing Lab for AI Policing
This story was published in partnership with Counterstream Media for The AI issue of Peace & Riot. ATLANTA — When he drives through his neighborhood now, Brian Page passes rows of police cars and AI‑powered cameras that track nearly every movement. For most of his life, Page, who goes by “Scapegoat Jones,” felt safest in […]
Posted inCriminal Justice, Public Safety
After Teen Shootings, Atlanta Faces New Pressure to Expand Prevention Efforts
Before his life was tragically cut short last Saturday, 12-year-old Cameron Coney was a kid with a big personality who loved to play football, according to his family members who spoke to reporters at a vigil earlier this week. The Long Middle School student was shot and killed inside his bedroom at his family’s home […]
Posted inHigher Education, Policing
Emory Students Protest AI Surveillance on Campus
Emory University students, faculty, and workers gathered on campus Friday waving signs, beating drums, and chanting to pressure the institution’s administration to end AI-powered surveillance on its campus. Flock Safety, an Atlanta-based surveillance tech company with tens of thousands of its cameras located in cities across the country, is at the heart of the Emory […]
Posted inCriminal Justice, Politics & Policy
Georgia Bill That Could Have Restricted Police Body Cam Footage Fails
It took 15 weeks and an open dispute with city officials for the children of Johnny Hollman to secure the public release of their father’s last moments that were captured on the body camera of the police officer who took the deacon’s life in 2023. Hollman’s family wanted the public to see the footage to […]