Billionaires Fund Atlanta's Cop City Linked to AIPAC
- Some of the same billionaires funding AIPAC are also funding Atlanta's Cop City.
- Donors are underwriting a connection between Israel and Cop City.
- The funding sources for Cop City have political implications.
As Israel's military actions in Gaza escalate, opposition is growing against the Georgia International Law Enforcement Exchange (GILEE), which facilitates training exchanges between police forces in Georgia and Israel. Activists argue that the ongoing violence in Gaza underscores the problematic alliance between Atlanta and Israel, particularly in light of the controversial Cop City project, which they believe will further entrench militarized policing in the U.S. “We want to make more clear the connections between the policing of Black people in Atlanta and the genocide in Palestine,” stated activist Agbebiyi. Cop City, a $110 million initiative primarily funded by the Atlanta Police Foundation and its corporate backers, is seen as a manifestation of the close ties between corporate interests and law enforcement. Critics suggest that the project may draw inspiration from Israeli policing models, raising concerns about the potential for increased militarization of police tactics in Atlanta. GILEE has a long history of organizing training for U.S. police with Israeli counterparts, and its funding sources remain largely undisclosed. Key figures in this network include Bernie Marcus, a significant donor to both GILEE and the Atlanta Police Foundation, who views GILEE as a crucial link between the two police forces. Another prominent supporter, Jay Davis, has also contributed to Cop City and has held leadership roles in both GILEE and the Atlanta Police Foundation. The intertwining of funding and leadership among these organizations raises questions about the influence of corporate interests on policing practices. The connections between GILEE and the Atlanta Police Foundation extend beyond financial support, as they have collaborated on training programs aimed at enhancing police leadership. With additional backing from notable donors like Douglas Hertz, who has also contributed to right-wing causes, the relationship between these entities continues to draw scrutiny amid the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza.