The City of Atlanta is pushing forward with a plan to build an expensive new police militarization complex in the middle of one of the city’s last remaining green spaces. The efforts to begin construction on what has become to be known as “Cop City” are grotesquely undemocratic, with residents living near the proposed facility overwhelmingly voicing their opposition. So far, Cop City’s proponents — a coalition of business interests, the police, and the city government — are undeterred by the public outcry.

The development is slated for the South River Forest. Located in Southeast Atlanta and stretching into neighboring DeKalb County, the forest encompasses 3,500 acres of land. South River Forest is one of the largest remaining green spaces in the city, and organizers have been working to develop it as a conservation area since 2000.

This particular piece of land has a fraught history, especially for the black residents who represent the majority of South Atlanta. Situated in the center of the South River Forest is the Old Atlanta Prison Farm. The city owns the prison farm’s 350 acres, and according to former mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, it’s the only viable place for Cop City to be built.