‘Stop Cop City’ activist Tortuguita celebrated in new podcast

‘Stop Cop City’ activist Tortuguita celebrated in new podcast

Reckon and Mainline, an independent Atlanta-based publication, are excited to bring you the fourth episode of the Mainline Podcast to celebrate an activist fighting for justice in Atlanta.

It has been a year since Georgia State Police shot Manuel Paez Terán, also known as “Tortuguita,” 13 times in the Weelaunee People’s Park ending their life and igniting a global movement. The park, which is the site of the proposed $90 million militarized police training facility, had been home to many forest defenders years before Terán’s death on Jan. 18. However, a SWAT raid of the area led to the public calling for a full investigation of the shooting. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation later determined that the officers all acted reasonably and without criminal intent. Therefore, no charges would be brought against them in connection with the death of Terán.

While the Terán family continues to grieve with many questions unanswered and justice for their loved one denied, local and global activists have taken to memorializing Tortuguita’s legacy with altars and community events to commemorate the year since their passing.

Mainline, an independent woman-led Atlanta publication, spoke with Belkis Terán, Tortuguita’s mother and now a local reverend, about the death of her child, how she’s processing and how the fight to Stop Cop City is helping her keep Tortigita’s legacy alive through the creation of the Tortuguita Healing Center.

You can listen to the podcast episode airing on WRFG Atlanta.