NEW SERIES: We Came to the Forest

Summary

Summary of "Noble" Podcast Episode: NEW SERIES: We Came to the Forest

Podcast Information:

• Title: Noble
• Host/Author: Wavland
• Series: NEW SERIES: We Came to the Forest
• Episode Release Date: February 4, 2025
• Description: This new series delves into the contentious Cop City project in Atlanta, exploring the deadly confrontation in the surrounding forest through exclusive recordings and eyewitness accounts. Host Matthew Scher uncovers the hidden truths behind the incident, challenging perceptions of justice and activism.

Introduction to "We Came to the Forest"

In the premiere episode of the new series "We Came to the Forest," host Matthew Scher sets the stage by introducing listeners to the controversial Cop City project in Atlanta. Sean, the host of "Noble," provides an overview of the series, highlighting its investigative depth and the involvement of reputable media partners.

Sean [00:00]: "The podcast peels back the layers of secrecy surrounding Cop City and a deadly confrontation that took place in the forest where it's being built."

The Building Blocks of the Story

Matthew Scher transitions into the narrative by focusing on Vienna Forrest, an activist deeply involved in opposing Cop City's construction. Through personal stories and interviews, the series paints a vivid picture of Vienna's life leading up to the fateful events.

Vienna Forrest's Personal Struggles

Vienna's tumultuous month is portrayed, shedding light on her personal challenges and her relationship with her partner, Tortuguita.

Vienna Forrest [01:47]: "We went to get Vietnamese and Mexican food... They were just really doing good."

Her attempt to find solace and normalcy through a simple date at the iconic Starlight Drive-In demonstrates the human side of activism.

A Night at the Starlight Drive-In

The evening at the Starlight Drive-In serves as a poignant backdrop, highlighting Vienna and Tortuguita's bond and the underlying tensions of their activist lives.

Vienna Forrest [02:20]: "We save on tickets, hid under a blanket... they let us go through."

Their experience at the drive-in, albeit interrupted, underscores the constant vigilance and compromises activists must navigate.

The Deadly Confrontation

The narrative swiftly moves to the central event: a joint task force's violent sweep through the forest, intended to dismantle the activist presence and halt Cop City's construction.

Preparation and Tensions Among Law Enforcement

Matthew Scher describes the task force's preparation, emphasizing the high stakes and the anticipated resistance from activists.

Matthew Scher [03:33]: "This task force... has been assigned to clear the woods of activists who are camping there in an attempt to stop the construction."

Despite warnings about potential booby traps, the officers attempt to mask their anxiety, revealing the precariousness of the mission.

The Escalation into Violence

The situation escalates rapidly when unexpected gunfire breaks out, shattering the fragile façade of professionalism among the officers.

Sean [04:26]: "Sir, quick question. Can you get the fuck out, please?"

Vienna Forrest [04:40]: "Oh, shoot. Is this target practice?"

The sudden violence transforms the operation into a chaotic and deadly confrontation, leaving listeners on edge.

Matthew Scher [04:51]: "That sounded like suppressed gun lines."

Themes and Insights

"We Came to the Forest" delves deep into themes of justice, activism, and the moral complexities surrounding law enforcement's actions against dissenters. The series questions the ethical boundaries of both activists and officers, exploring what lengths individuals will go to protect their beliefs and the inherent costs of such conflicts.

The Human Cost of Activism

Vienna's personal narrative serves as a lens to examine the broader impact of activism on individuals and communities. Her experience highlights the emotional and physical toll that such high-stakes opposition can exact.

Vienna Forrest [03:15]: "Watching them, they seemed like they didn't have care in the world... ready for whatever was to come."

The Question of Accountability

The series raises critical questions about accountability and transparency within law enforcement operations, especially in politically charged environments.

Conclusion

The first episode of "We Came to the Forest" successfully sets up a gripping and thought-provoking exploration of the Cop City controversy. Through detailed storytelling, personal accounts, and investigative journalism, the series promises to unravel the complexities of this high-profile case.

Listeners are left anticipating the unfolding of events and the deeper revelations that await as Matthew Scher continues to peel back the layers of secrecy surrounding this tragic confrontation.

Matthew Scher [05:22]: "From Wondery Campside Media and Tenderfoot tv. I'm Matthew Scher and this is We Came to the Forest."

Notable Quotes

• Sean [00:00]: "We Came to the Forest challenges our understanding of justice, activism, and the lengths people will go to protect what they believe in."
• Vienna Forrest [03:15]: "They were just like someone I felt comfortable with... I can lay my head on their chest and they'd comfort me."
• Matthew Scher [04:51]: "That sounded like suppressed gun lines."

Final Thoughts

"We Came to the Forest" stands out as a meticulously crafted series that not only investigates a specific event but also invites listeners to ponder broader societal issues. Its blend of personal narratives and investigative rigor makes it a must-listen for those interested in true crime, social justice, and the intricate dynamics between activists and law enforcement.

Follow "We Came to the Forest" on the Wondery app or your preferred podcast platform to stay updated on this compelling investigation.

Transcript

[Sean]

Hey y'all, it's Sean, the host of Noble. I don't do this very often, but I want to tell you about a new podcast series. It's made by some really talented journalists who I happen to know and deeply respect. And it also takes place in the city where I live, Atlanta, and just a mile from my house. The podcast is called We Came to the Forest and it's from Wondery Campside Media and Tenderfoot tv. It's about a now infamous project in Atlanta called Cop City. The podcast peels back the layers of secrecy surrounding Cop City and a deadly confrontation that took place in the forest where it's being built. The host, Matthew Scher, got his hands on exclusive recordings and firsthand eyewitness accounts, and he exposes the hidden truth behind a nighttime shootout that left one young activist dead and countless lives changed forever. He uncovers a web of conflicting testimonies, missing evidence, and allegations of a police cover up. We Came to the Forest challenges our understanding of justice, activism, and the lengths people will go to protect what they believe in. So what actually happened in the forest? I'm going to play a clip from the new series. Follow We Came to the Forest on the Wondery app or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Vienna Forrest]

Wondry.

[Matthew Scher]

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]

And we went to get Vietnamese and Mexican food, just got a whole buffet and Tortequito's like at their peak. They were just so happy they quit cigarettes. They were just really doing good.

[Matthew Scher]

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 name neon sign out front.

[Vienna Forrest]

Me and Torte 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 the.

[Matthew Scher]

Couple stays there together, curled up in the backseat, hands laced together in the dark. Even as the movie gets underway, they.

[Vienna Forrest]

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.

[Matthew Scher]

The film that night at the Starlight is Megan. The one about the overprotective, malignant doll.

[Vienna Forrest]

The modern day Chucky, if you will. Took a while for me to remember what the movie was because I wasn't paying attention to the movie so much. But yeah.

[Matthew Scher]

As the movie winds down, Vienna turns to her partner.

[Vienna Forrest]

Watching them, they seemed like they didn't have care in the world. Or at least they didn't show it. They had this sort of resolve about things and they just. It seemed like they were just ready for whatever was to come.

[Matthew Scher]

About 36 hours after the date at the drive in, in an event that will permanently, violently alter the trajectory of Vienna's life, a joint task force of law enforcement officers sweeps through a forest a few miles to the southeast. This task force, made up of dozens of officers from several different agencies, has been assigned to clear the woods of activists who are camping there in an attempt to stop the construction of the largest police training facility in the country. These officers are nervous. They've been warned in a briefing about the possibility of booby traps and even improvised explosive devices, but they're doing their best not to let it show. As they press forward, packing up vacant tents with knives, they joke about what they'll say if they happen to find one occupied.

[Sean]

Sir, quick question. Can you get the fuck out, please?

[Matthew Scher]

There's some more laughter and then everything just kind of shatters open.

[Vienna Forrest]

Oh, shoot. Is this target practice?

[Matthew Scher]

Surprised, unnerved, the officers tense up, drop their hands to their sidearms. Real shopping fire. The mood now is adrenalized. Sharp edged, the squadron of cops begin to move towards the sound of the gunfire. A very faint transmission comes over the radio from just across the forest. Man.

[Sean]

That sounded like suppressed gun lines.

[Matthew Scher]

From Wondery Campside Media and Tenderfoot tv. I'm Matthew Scher and this is We Came to the Forest. This is episode one, Paradise Found.

[Sean]

Binge. All episodes of We Came to the Forest ad free on Wondery plus join Wondery in the Wondery app or on Apple podcasts.