Introducing: We Came to the Forest

Podcast: We Came to the Forest
Host/Author: Wondery | Campside Media
Release Date: January 22, 2025

Overview

"We Came to the Forest," produced by Wondery, Campside Media, and Tenderfoot TV, delves into the grassroots resistance movement opposing the construction of "Cop City," a sprawling police training facility in Atlanta. This introductory episode sets the stage by exploring the formation of a tight-knit community of activists in the South River Forest, their motivations, the bonds they form, and the catastrophic events that test their resolve.

Setting the Scene: South River Forest

A few miles away from Atlanta's bustling midtown lies the South River Forest, a land marked by both historical trauma and profound care.
Blake: "A few miles from the glass spires of midtown Atlanta lies the South River Forest." [00:13]

The forest serves as a sanctuary for activists seeking to prevent the establishment of Cop City, envisioning an alternative society based on mutual support and harmony.
Alex: "It has this very certain energy to it. It's land that's been through so much. There's a lot of trauma on that land, but also a lot of love and care that's been poured into that land." [00:19]

The Birth of a Movement

Between 2021 and 2022, the South River Forest became the epicenter for activists nationwide. Vienna, a delivery worker, is among those inspired to fight against the construction of the police training facility.
Alex: "I found a struggle worth fighting for." [00:40]

The activists, numbering between 150 to 200 protesters, were dedicated to halting the development of Cop City, aiming to create a self-sustaining community away from systemic oppression.
Blake: "In 2021 and 2022, the woods became a home to activists from all over the country." [00:33]

Building Community and Hope

Within the forest, the activists fostered a vibrant community grounded in love, fellowship, and shared purpose. Vienna found not only solidarity but also love, creating deep personal connections.
Casey: "We were building something. We were building a community and it felt alive and anything seemed possible." [01:08]
Alex: "It was probably the happiest I've ever been in my life until one day, everything just shatters open." [01:16]

The movement was portrayed as a beacon of hope, demonstrating that a society based on mutual respect and support is achievable.
Alex: "The forest occupation or things like that present a vision of a society where we can have what we need and support each other without being at each other's throats or being subservient to each other." [00:55]

The Turning Point: Tragedy Strikes

The fragile peace of the forest community was violently disrupted one morning when law enforcement entered the property. At approximately 9:00 AM, a Georgia State patrol trooper was shot by an unidentified assailant, leading to a deadly exchange of gunfire.
Alex: "At approximately 9:00 this morning, as law enforcement was moving through various sectors of the property, an individual, without warning, shot a Georgia State patrol trooper... The individual who fired upon law enforcement and shot the trooper was killed in the exchange of gunfire." [01:26]

The incident marked a significant escalation in the conflict, injecting fear and uncertainty into the community.
Blake: "Love and fellowship." [02:18]
Alex: "They were so dedicated to that forest, they'd never want to leave and he never did." [03:15]

Reflections on Resistance and Sacrifice

Following the tragic event, the community grapples with profound questions about their commitment and the costs of their resistance. The episode underscores the lengths to which individuals will go to protect their values and the causes they hold dear.
Alex: "The abolitionist mission isn't done until every prison is empty and shut down. Until there's no more cops." [02:11]
Blake: "The lengths will go to protect the things we hold closest to our hearts." [02:26]

Conclusion

The introductory episode of "We Came to the Forest" paints a vivid picture of a grassroots movement striving for systemic change amidst adversity. It captures the essence of community, the passion for justice, and the heartbreaking moments that challenge the very foundation of their activism. As the story unfolds, listeners are invited to contemplate the true cost of resistance and the personal sacrifices inherent in the fight for a better society.

Notable Quotes

• Alex: "I found a struggle worth fighting for." [00:40]
• Casey: "We were building something. We were building a community and it felt alive and anything seemed possible." [01:08]
• Alex: "The abolitionist mission isn't done until every prison is empty and shut down. Until there's no more cops." [02:11]
• Blake: "The lengths will go to protect the things we hold closest to our hearts." [02:26]

"We Came to the Forest" invites listeners to immerse themselves in a story of resistance, community, and the relentless pursuit of justice, setting the stage for a gripping exploration of what individuals are willing to sacrifice for their beliefs.