Transcript
Matthew Scher (0:00)
In the depths of an Atlanta forest, a clash between activists and authorities ended in tragedy. But the official narrative doesn't add up. We Came to the Forest is a new investigative podcast from Wondery Campsite Media and Tenderfoot tv. It peels back the layers of secrecy surrounding a deadly confrontation that shook a community to its core. Through exclusive recordings and never before release eyewitness accounts, host Matthew Scher exposes the hidden truths behind a nighttime shootout that left one activist dead and countless lives forever changed by a web of conflicting testimonies, missing evidence and allegations of a cover up. Reaching the highest levels of law enforcement. From the idealistic dreams of young environmentalists to the complex motivations of local officials, this story challenges our understanding of justice, activism and the lengths people will go to to protect what they believe in. What actually happened in the forest? You're about to hear a clip from We Came to the Forest Follow We Came to the Forest on the Wondery app or wherever you get your podcasts.
Narrator (1:06)
Campsite Media On a chilly evening in January, an activist named Vienna Forrest goes on a date with her partner in Atlanta. It's been a long, rough month for Vienna, the longest in some ways she can remember, and she spent much of it lying low, crashing on the floor at a friend's house. Her partner, who goes by Tortuguita, that's little turtle in Spanish, has decided that it's time for her to get out of the house.
Vienna Forrest (1:36)
And we went to get Vietnamese and Mexican food, just got a whole buffet and Tortequito's like at their peak. They were so happy they quit cigarettes. They were just really doing good.
Narrator (1:51)
A couple hours later, Vienna and Torte pack into a sedan along with two other friends and drive across town to a movie theater called the Starlight. The Starlight's pretty famous in Atlanta. It's one of the last real drive ins in the country. Still has that old school neon sign out front.
Vienna Forrest (2:10)
Me and Tort save on tickets, hid under a blanket and the person manning the gate caught us. They're like, next time tell your friends to hide their legs better because Torte's legs were sticking out from under the blanket. But they let us go through.
Narrator (2:27)
The couple stays there together, curled up in the backseat, hands laced together in the dark. Even as the movie gets underway, they.
Vienna Forrest (2:35)
Were always just like someone I felt comfortable with. They were I'm feeling bad, I can lay my head on their chest and they'd comfort me.