We, the undersigned organizations, as part of the LGBTQ+ community in Georgia, speak out to express our disappointment and indignation at the killing of the non-binary, Afro-Indigenous environmental activist Manuel “Tortuguita” Terán and subsequent actions by law enforcement.
Based on the release of the DeKalb County Medical Examiner’s autopsy, there is strong reason to believe that law enforcement’s original narrative of what happened in the Weelaunee Forest on January 18 is false. Tortuguita’s family and loved ones deserve greater transparency and accountability from law enforcement during this painful time.
Furthermore, the targeting of the Atlanta Solidarity Fund by law enforcement, for activities widely understood to be legal (provision of legal aid, bail funding, fundraising to support the work, etc.) marks an escalation that should alarm any organization involved in advocacy work. If the facts are as they appear today, we strongly condemn this move for its intent to intimidate, along with intensifying rhetoric and attacks aimed at nonviolent protesters and those affiliated with nonviolent protests.
In a city with as rich a history of nonviolent direct action and civil protest as Atlanta has, we strongly condemn the targeting of peaceful protestors voicing their concerns against the proposed police training facility. From the killing of Tortuguita, to the reckless use of domestic terrorism and other charges against nonviolent protestors and nonprofit organizations, state and local governments must do better in defending our First Amendment rights to self-expression and assembly.
Signed by:
- Atlanta Pride Committee
- Georgia Equality
- OUT Georgia Business Alliance
- PFLAG Atlanta
- Southern Fried Queer Pride
- THRIVE SS Inc.
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For a PDF copy of this statement: LGBTQ Org Statement on Manuel Terán