Atlanta, Georgia — A Georgia judge has dismissed sweeping racketeering charges against dozens of protesters accused of conspiring to stop construction of Atlanta’s controversial public safety training center, a ruling that significantly narrows one of the most aggressive protest prosecutions in U.S. history.
Fulton County Superior Court Judge Kevin Farmer ruled Tuesday that Attorney General Chris Carr lacked the legal authority to obtain the 2023 indictments under Georgia’s Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act without approval from Gov. Brian Kemp. The decision tosses RICO charges against 61 defendants connected to protests opposing the Atlanta Public Safety Training Center, commonly referred to by critics as “Cop City.”
The charges alleged a yearslong conspiracy that included acts ranging from vandalism and arson to providing food and supplies to protesters. Under the RICO counts, defendants faced potential sentences of up to 20 years in prison. Judge Farmer’s order leaves intact separate domestic terrorism charges against five defendants, though he also ruled that Carr did not have authority to pursue first-degree arson charges.
Carr’s office said it plans to appeal, calling the case a necessary response to what it has described as organized violence and intimidation. Defense attorneys countered that the prosecution stretched anti-racketeering laws far beyond their intent and criminalized constitutionally protected protest activity.
The ruling comes amid a broader legal and political fight over the $115 million training facility, which has drawn sustained opposition since 2023. Critics have long argued the prosecution was politically motivated, noting that Carr is running for governor and that state leaders have framed the movement as driven by “out-of-state radicals.”
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