Stopping Cop City: Tov's Story - a podcast by Avery Smith

Learn about the Movement to Defend Atlanta's Forest through the stories of forest defenders for whom queerness and faith intertwine with activism. In this episode, Tov shares the dream that drew them to March's Week of Action, discusses Weelaunee's history and the environmental threat Cop City poses, and uplifts the power of humor in the face of police intimidation.

Click here for an episode transcript.

Support the fight to Stop Cop City by donating to the Stop the Swap lawsuit fundraiser, or to the Atlanta Solidarity Fund.

Click here for information about getting active this upcoming Earth Week, which is also Tortuguita's birth week.

Tov's recs: a zine about Weelaunee Forest; another zine about the Atlanta City Prison Farm

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Talking Points:

(0:00 - 5:10) Intro: some history Weelaunee forest — millennia of Muscogee stewardship followed by colonialism, enslavement, and Black prison labor

(5:11) Getting involved after getting informed; the power of a common cause

(9:00) Tov’s spirituality: a baby mystic who finds a lot of meaning in dreams, accountability to ancestral history

(11:15) The dream that inspired Tov to attend March’s Week of Action: Mother Earth imprisoned 

(15:00) The healing power of community working towards a common goal; the threat of police intimidation

(19:10) Tov's advice: get informed, look to movement elders, assess your risks, laugh at our enemies

(27:20 - end) Wrapping up

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This show's theme song is "Aetherium" by Leah Horn. This episode also makes use of "Lullaby for Democracy" by Doctor Turtle.

Further episodes of Blessed Are the Binary Breakers

Further podcasts by Avery Smith

Website of Avery Smith