We Came to the Forest: Episode 5 Breakdown – A Detailed Summary

Release Date: February 17, 2025

In Episode 5 of We Came to the Forest, titled "Breakdown," host Matthew Scher delves deep into the escalating tensions surrounding the construction of Cop City, the controversial Atlanta Public Safety Training Center. This episode intricately weaves personal narratives with broader social and political dynamics, offering listeners a comprehensive view of the movement to halt Cop City's development.

1. The South River Music Festival: A Beacon of Unity

The episode opens with Matthew Johnson orchestrating a significant event aimed at uniting diverse factions within the Stop Cop City movement. The South River Music Festival is envisioned as a platform to consolidate environmentalists, church groups, social justice organizations, and other activists into a cohesive force against the looming construction of Cop City.

Notable Quote:

“It's a massive music festival that Matthew has helped organize, an event that he hopes will bring together all the disparate parts of the Stop Cop City movement.”
— Matthew Scher [08:02]

The festival symbolizes hope and solidarity, intending to send a powerful message of resistance and resilience following the tragic death of activist Torte.

2. Logistical Challenges and Strategic Planning

Matthew collaborates with the Sonic Defense Committee to manage the logistical aspects of the festival, including booking bands, setting up stages, and ensuring necessary supplies are in place. Darren Sheerbaum, a key organizer, highlights the legal and personal risks involved in orchestrating the event.

Notable Quote:

“We’ve got a lot of skin in the game. If things go south, I’m going to be the one in trouble.”
— Darren Sheerbaum [09:26]

This underscores the precarious balance between activism and personal accountability within the movement.

3. The Festival Day: From Harmony to Havoc

The festival spans two days, starting peacefully on Saturday evening with indie bands performing and attendees enjoying a family-friendly environment complete with bouncy castles and communal gatherings. The initial day passes without major incidents, fostering a sense of accomplishment and optimism among organizers and participants.

Notable Quote:

“It was a Beautiful day. Low 70s, slight breeze. It’s the perfect music festival day.”
— Darren Sheerbaum [10:40]

However, the following day witnesses a dramatic shift as approximately 150 protesters, now clad in camo and black attire, begin to mobilize towards the construction site with the intent to sabotage equipment.

4. Escalation: Sabotage and Police Response

As the protesters approach Cop City, police helicopters equipped with advanced tracking technology surveil their movements. The situation rapidly deteriorates when the protesters engage in destructive actions, including setting fire to construction vehicles and equipment.

Notable Quote:

“These are military-grade cameras that can bring faces into focus from a distance of hundreds of yards.”
— Matthew Scher [13:29]

Initially, the police presence is minimal, but as chaos unfolds, a significant police force, including SWAT teams, descends upon the festival grounds, leading to a tumultuous confrontation.

5. Disorder and Arrests: The Night Unravels

The sudden influx of law enforcement results in widespread arrests. Approximately 23 festival-goers are detained, and the event, initially a show of solidarity, spirals into disorder. The use of force by police, including tasers and physical restraints, exacerbates tensions, leaving activists like Darren Sheerbaum traumatized.

Notable Quote:

“They didn’t tell us anything. They didn’t show us a warrant. They didn’t explain why we were being arrested.”
— Earthworm (Adele McLean) [30:14]

This section highlights the invasive tactics employed by authorities and the resulting fear and confusion among activists.

6. The Saul Fund Raid and RICO Indictments

In the wake of the festival's chaos, authorities target the Saul Fund, an organization pivotal in supporting arrested activists through bail and legal aid. A coordinated raid led by SWAT teams results in the arrest of key figures, including Earthworm, Marlon Kotz, and Savannah.

Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr leverages the state's expansive Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) laws to indict 61 individuals linked to the Defend the Atlanta Forest organization. This legal maneuver is particularly significant as it marks an aggressive attempt to dismantle the movement by branding activists as part of an organized criminal enterprise.

Notable Quote:

“Georgia's RICO law is especially broad and it's been wielded that way... Carr will push that broadness to its limits.”
— Matthew Scher [30:22]

The use of RICO here echoes its application in various other high-profile cases, signaling a potent legal threat to the movement.

7. Personal Struggles and Mental Health Toll

The relentless pressure and systemic oppression take a severe toll on individuals like Darren Sheerbaum and Matthew Johnson. Darren grapples with mental health challenges, exacerbated by the mounting legal threats and personal losses within the movement.

Notable Quote:

“This is the first real struggle with faith that I've ever had... And then to have this massive crash makes me wonder what was actually leading me in the first place.”
— Darren Sheerbaum [39:44]

Matthew, facing his own vulnerabilities, experiences a near-fatal car crash that leads to his arrest, further destabilizing his mental and emotional state.

8. Matthew's Arrest: A Pivotal Turning Point

Matthew Johnson's arrest following a car accident represents a critical juncture in the narrative. Although uninjured, the incident results in felony charges, including reckless driving and hit-and-run, compounded by existing RICO threats. His subsequent dismissal from the Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta and social ostracization underscore the pervasive fear and stigma surrounding activist involvement.

Notable Quote:

“It's just becoming a very tense situation... They didn’t show us a warrant. They didn’t explain why we were being arrested.”
— Darren Sheerbaum [30:14]

Matthew's plight encapsulates the broader struggle faced by activists under relentless scrutiny and legal intimidation.

9. The Human Cost: Memorials and Mourning

Amidst the turmoil, Vienna Forest attends memorial events honoring Torte, a fallen activist. These ceremonies serve as poignant reminders of the personal sacrifices within the movement and the ongoing battle against oppression.

Notable Quote:

“I actually felt tort in my hand as ash. That... that's when it really, like, my body just released and just. I was just bawling, crying.”
— Darren Sheerbaum [26:57]

Such moments highlight the emotional and psychological burdens carried by those committed to the cause.

10. Conclusion: The Brink of Collapse

As Episode 5 concludes, the movement finds itself teetering on the edge of significant upheaval. Legal pressures, personal losses, and internal struggles threaten to dismantle the unity and momentum previously established.

Notable Quote:

“In the immensity of charges and the lies they're telling about us, they're putting us at the center of this whole thing.”
— Earthworm (Adele McLean) [33:56]

The episode sets the stage for the series' final installment, promising a resolution to the tumultuous events and the fate of the forest defenders.

Key Takeaways and Insights

• Legal Warfare: The strategic use of RICO laws by Georgia authorities exemplifies how legal systems can be weaponized to suppress activist movements, branding them as criminal enterprises.

• Personal Sacrifices: The narrative underscores the profound personal costs of activism, including mental health struggles, social ostracization, and the constant threat of legal repercussions.

• Movement Fragmentation: Internal divisions and strategic missteps, such as the ill-timed sabotage during a family-friendly festival, highlight challenges in maintaining unity and effective resistance.

• Surveillance and Control: Advanced surveillance techniques employed by law enforcement illustrate the heightened measures taken to monitor and disrupt activist activities.

• Emotional Resilience: Despite overwhelming odds, the dedication of individuals like Vienna Forest and the founders of the Saul Fund showcases the enduring spirit of resistance within marginalized movements.

Final Thoughts

Episode 5 of We Came to the Forest masterfully captures the intricate web of activism, state oppression, and personal turmoil surrounding the fight against Cop City. Through meticulous storytelling and compelling firsthand accounts, listeners gain a nuanced understanding of the sacrifices and resilience inherent in grassroots movements striving for social and environmental justice.

For those eager to uncover the resolution to these unfolding events, stay tuned for the final episode of We Came to the Forest.

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This episode was produced by Matthew Scher for Wondery, in collaboration with Campside Media and Tenderfoot TV. Special thanks to our dedicated production team and contributors.