Five jailed on domestic terrorism charges after clash with police at planned Atlanta Public Safety training site

DEKALB COUNTY, GA—Five people are facing charges of domestic terrorism, trespassing and other offenses after clashing with police at the site where the Atlanta Public Safety Training Center will be built in a heavily forested area in unincorporated DeKalb County. The protestors were ordered to be held in jail without bond during their first appearance court hearing, the DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston said on Wednesday.

“I strongly believe in the right to peacefully protest for what one believes is right and just,” Boston said. “However, I draw the line at violence, destruction of property, and threatening and causing harm to others. My office will always stand up to protect the citizens of DeKalb County. The alleged acts of violence at the training facility site put the public in grave danger, and will not be tolerated.”

Protestors have been occupying the forested site in an attempt to stop the development of the $90 million, 85-acre Atlanta Public Safety Training Center. Several incidents have been reported concerning the site including arson, destruction of the property and attacks against public safety officials and contractors who have tried approaching the site.

On Tuesday, police agencies set up an operation and began removing barricades that were blocking some of the entrances to the site. Protestors responded by throwing rocks and bottles at authorities, officials said.

Activists against the project say the local community has had little input concerning the planned facility.hey say construction of the facility would destroy forested land that Atlanta city leaders had promised to protect and they say carving out the land poses an environmental threat.

The charges against the protestors are the result of a joint operation conducted by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, DeKalb County Police Department, Atlanta Police Department, and other law enforcement agencies.

The following individuals were arrested on Tuesday:

Francis Carroll, 22, of Maine

Charges: Domestic Terrorism, Aggravated Assault, Interference with Government Property, and Criminal Trespass

Nicholas D. Olson, 25, of Nebraska

Charges: Domestic Terrorism, Aggravated Assault, and Interference with Government Property

Serena Hertel, 25, of California

Charges: Domestic Terrorism, Aggravated Assault, and Criminal Trespass

Leonard Vioselle, 20, of Macon, GA

Charges: Domestic Terrorism and Criminal Trespass

Arieon Robinson, 22, of Wisconsin

Charges: Domestic Terrorism and Criminal Trespass