Jessica Reznicek, a self-described water protector, is serving 8 years in Federal Prison after taking responsibility for property damage to protect the rivers and waterways the Dakota Access pipeline passes through. In 2019, Jessica pled guilty to a single charge of conspiracy to damage an energy facility. Afterwards, the judge, in alliance with prosecutors, added a domestic terrorism “enhancement” which effectively increased the sentence she would serve.

In Atlanta, GA in 2023 protests against construction of the police training facility known as Cop City were met with paramilitary style sweeps by local and federal police that resulted in the police murder of Manuel “Tortuguita” Terán, after the police shot them 57 times. Hundreds have been arrested and 61 people have been indicted on RICO Conspiracy charges. They face decades in prison, while the so-called “evidence” can be as minor as posting on social media. Dozens have also been charged with domestic terrorism charges, facing additional jail time for acts such as attending a concert in the forest or handing out flyers.

The absurd charges, police murder of a protester, mass arrests, collective punishment, and potentially decades in prison show an outrageous escalation of repression against those who stand up against the system and its brutality. They are designed criminalize protest and to intimidate, silence and prevent people from standing up.

We must stand with those prosecuted and persecuted by the system! Come to learn more about Jessica Reznicek, the Cop City Protesters, the significance and stakes if the system is able to get away with railroading dozens of people on these outrageous charges and most important – how you can be part of building the mass resistance necessary to beat back these charges.