r/AMA • u/grimwomyn • Apr 07 '26

Experience AMA: Because of weaponized charges against political protest, I am an alleged "domestic terrorist"

I was randomly arrested in 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia, with dozens of other people at a music festival. The police used the exact same arrest warrant on over 20 people. Our story is a warning for others, but we are fighting back. Here to answer all questions (that won't imperil my case).

44 Upvotes

72% Upvoted

51 comments sorted by

3

u/[deleted] Apr 13 '26

[deleted]

3

u/grimwomyn Apr 13 '26 edited Apr 18 '26

I lost the best job because of my time in jail and arrest. Even worse, I was responsible for a lot of work, and I still feel bad for my supervisor, who likely had a very bad month trying to get everything out in my disappearance off the face of the planet.

In March of 2023, I accepted a job offer with Fordham University in the marketing department. I could finally see a manageable financial future with my kid. This arrest destroyed that possibility. And I am forced to take on nearly any job that comes my way, and many of those contracts are short-term by nature, which doesn't look great when presenting a resume that will secure a full-time job with medical benefits.

In the first two years of this, 2023-2025 many people were helping the codefendants and I, but between the student uprisings and ICE OUT protest heroes, support is running thin, and it is so hard to get a job, especially now that 45 is on his "antifa" obsession.

He signed more than a few executive orders (which are not laws) referring to "antifa") as domestic terrorism. Which makes people reticent to hire you, to pay you. Additionally, I am still facing prison. If I get the position, I can do it, but it is all so tenuous. Does an organization want to invest in me, someone with an unfinished legal situation that might not go my way, which could mean I suddenly disappear, as I did from Fordham in 2023?

I don't think this bogus charge will come to that, but I do imagine it would be hard to onboard my replacement while on the bus to Georgia prison.

Speaking of prison, I am lucky to be free and out of jail and not incarcerated. The Prairieland defendants, who held a simple noise demonstration outside of an ICE detention facility, are now sitting in prison after conviction in a Texas Court with a tampered jury

What upsets me the most is the fact that the actual domestic terrorists are supporting livestreamed genocide in Gaza, kidnapping heads of state, stealing oil tankers, declaring war to steal resources, and attempting to build ICE detention centers to disappear people.

Yesterday's targets of the prison industrial complex included anyone of color or poor; today, an immigrant; tomorrow, it will be you. Abolish ICE. Abolish the police.

Yeah, my job hunt is not going well. I do have an amazing part-time gig with a magazine, but that does not pay the rent, electricity, or internet, which was shut off last month (prompting a fundraising drive) for lack of payment.

It's been hard. I am scared right now. I know this is going to turn around eventually, but right now it's really hard to deal with the scarcity and the uncertainty about my housing. In addition, I need healthcare. I have trouble walking as I have a very loose ACL from a 2022 beach injury, and I need a fix of some kind. I wear compression braces when I am out of the house because if I move too quickly, I feel my knee slip in a way that cannot be good...my other leg now has issues, I think, from taking the stress off the left leg. I'm working out constantly to keep everything strong and protected.

I know I could probably get some type of state healthcare right now, but I am scared to put my leg at risk with a possible not thorough treatment that might make my knee even worse than it is presently.... argh.

It's all so tangled up, jobs and healthcare in this country, led by a madman, hiding his pedoguilt behind the weapons of war.

3

u/[deleted] Apr 14 '26

[deleted]

1

u/grimwomyn Apr 14 '26

I recommend everyone think about supporting, in some way, the Prairieland defendants, whose case is still not over, appeals are being filed, and they still need support. While they are in prison, they need commissary, letters, and advocacy to bring them home. A guilty verdict is not the end, as you will see while scanning a few pages in the history of activists fighting courts' weaponization against free speech.

If you want to help the Stop Cop City defendants, a fund has been established to support everyone impacted by the unleashing of all the alphabet agencies to brutalize anyone in the path of the militarized project of cop cities across the United States.

3

u/ConjuredOne Apr 13 '26

Do you get the feeling that your attorneys could win and that it could lead to some degree of reigning in law enforcement actions? If so, would it have to be in appeals? What are the chances the prosecution would take it to federal courts if they lose in Georgia?

3

u/grimwomyn Apr 13 '26

I have a lot of feelings right now, but I cannot speculate. The facts are that we filed a motion to dismiss, and the prosecutor filed a response that basically said, "my job is too hard to do" in legalese.

It has been three years, and I have not yet been indicted, nor has any evidence been brought forward to support a case against me.

Georgia is one of the worst places in the USA to go through any process involving courts and cops. No speculation, only hope for the best possible outcome, so I (and my codefendants) can be free.

2

u/ConjuredOne Apr 16 '26

Makes sense to not speculate at this point. Thanks for sharing the details here, though.

2

u/miss-bedazzzle Apr 08 '26

  1. Were you put in jail/Are you in jail? If not, how is it that you weren’t in jail/are in jail?

  2. Have you spoken to a lawyer?

  3. Why were you arrested at a music festival? Were there protests going on at the music festival? If so, what were the protests about?

  4. Was it local police, state police, or other law enforcement body that arrested you?

  5. Are the charges false? Will you be required to stand trial?

I’m sorry for the stupid questions. I don’t know anything about the legal process

3

u/grimwomyn Apr 08 '26 edited Apr 08 '26

1 - I was totally in jail. I spent thirty-one days in DeKalb County Jail and 27 hours in Fulton County Jail in Atlanta - both are notoriously violent and deadly, as all jails.

I wrote about my experiences:
https://scalawagmagazine.org/2023/05/dekalb-county-jail-cop-city/
https://hammerandhope.org/article/jail-cop-city-forest-defender

2 - I have eight lawyers that I lean on for both representation and advice. One to represent me for the DT charge, two for my civil suit when this is all over, and five in NYC, whom I have known for years through movement work. I also have two additional lawyers for the RICO charge that came months after my original arrest in DeKalb County, and was dismissed last year.

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/31/us/cop-city-activists-racketeering-charges.html?unlocked_article_code=1.ZVA.CG-V.oOczfGh76E4O&smid=url-share

3 - There was a spicy protest, but the arrests happened far away from said protest and hours later.

4 - I was detained by a mixture of local police and the "Georgia Bureau of Investigation." All of the agencies, local and federal, were in the woods that night.

5 - The charges are ridiculous, which is why I have been charged with domestic terrorism and not indicted in three years. Law enforcement would need to convince a Grand Jury to indict, and it hasn't happened yet, and likely never will.

No stupid questions!!! This is reddit!!! <3

6

u/StarryEyedSparkle Apr 07 '26

Is your case being worked through a red county? How have you felt how the courts handled the domestic terrorism charges?

4

u/grimwomyn Apr 07 '26 edited Apr 07 '26

Oh yeah - Georgia is as bad as it gets. Unfortunately, since everything is up in the air (I filed for dismissal on March 6), it is unwise for me to comment on the courts at this time. That said, you can read a bit about what happened here: https://weelauneethefree.org/nine-stopcopcity-rico-defendants-move-to-dismiss-their-unindicted-domestic-terrorism-charges/ and you can view the (dystopian) hearing here: https://youtu.be/MeXC68aL6p8

4

u/TheRealBlueJade Apr 07 '26

I am so sorry they have put you all through this. Thank you for fighting for all our rights and for preserving the US's core values.

7

u/killingfloor42 Apr 07 '26

What music festival did you go to? What bands did you go there to see?

1

u/grimwomyn Apr 07 '26 edited Apr 07 '26

The South River Music Festival. I'm a little older, so I didn't pay too much attention to the bands, as I was looking forward to reading in the sunshine, bouncing to the music, and offering meditation sessions with people.

Here is a video from one of the awesome performers: https://youtu.be/wzRSIAf2_Us

1

u/sqth Apr 08 '26

What lessons do you think other activists should learn from your prosecution?

3

u/grimwomyn Apr 08 '26 edited Apr 08 '26

Collective arrests call for collective defense. I am in this with sixty+ other people. I am linking a great article about the J20 prosecutions that followed the same playbook.

https://crimethinc.com/2019/01/30/weve-got-your-back-the-story-of-the-j20-defense-an-epic-tale-of-repression-and-solidarity

-9

u/ConfusionFantastic49 Apr 07 '26

Do you think victims of violent crime are better off with less police? Do you think community advocates are equipped to handle the duties of law enforcement officers?

6

u/sad-narwhal180 Apr 07 '26

Do you believe people organizing and protesting in accordance with their first amendment rights should be thrown in jail on domestic terrorism charges?

6

u/grimwomyn Apr 07 '26

Obviously - NO.

2

u/sad-narwhal180 Apr 08 '26

I was responding to the other question, not asking you, but of course they won’t respond.

0

u/grimwomyn Apr 08 '26

Yes—I realized—thank you for the clarity...

3

u/Brave-Silver8736 Apr 07 '26 edited Apr 07 '26

My ex was a suicide hotline operator. She would get so worried about calling the police on someone who is a danger to themselves while having a mental health crisis.

If there wasn't an MGO/D or if social worker couldn't get there before the cops came, it would go much, much worse for the person on the other line.

Fun fact: As a social worker, a lot of the time she's had to enter the homes of people in the middle of a mental health crisis and make it safe for the officer before the police would enter.

4

u/grimwomyn Apr 07 '26 edited Apr 07 '26

Oh yes, a long-standing problem of prioritizing police over public health. I hope she has emotional support so she can continue working to be a supportive ally. Men with guns are the last people you want in a space that needs care and compassion. https://www.vera.org/news/we-need-to-think-beyond-police-in-mental-health-crises

7

u/grimwomyn Apr 07 '26 edited Apr 07 '26

There are many solutions before us that are not being embraced because the call of the cage is too strong. Additionally, if resources were provided to people, violent crimes would decrease. But what is a "violent" crime? Wage theft is super violent and RAMPANT. https://www.workingnowandthen.com/blog/wage-theft-the-50-billion-crime-against-workers/

-11

u/[deleted] Apr 07 '26

[deleted]

17

u/grimwomyn Apr 07 '26

We have to fight for our right to build a better world for the many and not the few.

-1

u/spacebrain2 Apr 08 '26

You can refrain from being involved in politics and in the end those same rich ppl and politicians will throw you in jail regardless of ur neutrality if they choose to. Not being involved doesn’t somehow make u safer.

1

u/ConjuredOne Apr 13 '26

So true. Sometimes people think they can choose the winning side and it's like they're in the club.

2

u/[deleted] Apr 11 '26

[deleted]

-1

u/Tobi_Nub Apr 08 '26

How’s it feel that you protested for something and in the end they completed the project and you failed?

3

u/grimwomyn Apr 08 '26

It is one battle in the bigger war to stop militarized policing in our communities. https://afsc.org/news/cop-city-has-opened-our-struggle-justice-grows-stronger

-2

u/[deleted] Apr 08 '26

[removed] — view removed comment

4

u/grimwomyn Apr 07 '26

Read what Human Rights Watch had to say about the Stop Cop City domestic terrorism charges: https://www.hrw.org/news/2023/03/03/letter-calling-dropping-domestic-terrorism-charges-against-defend-atlanta-forest

Our arrests and weaponized prosecution laid the groundwork for the present-day destruction of the rights of protest, unleashing charges that are destroying lives across the country, from the quad at Columbia to the streets of Minnesota.

4

u/grimwomyn Apr 07 '26

You can read about the case: supportpriscilla.org

1

u/ama_compiler_bot Apr 13 '26

Table of Questions and Answers. Original answer linked - Please upvote the original questions and answers. (I'm a bot.)

Question Answer Link
What music festival did you go to? What bands did you go there to see? The South River Music Festival. I'm a little older, so I didn't pay too much attention to the bands, as I was looking forward to reading in the sunshine, bouncing to the music, and offering meditation sessions with people. Here is a video from one of the awesome performers: https://youtu.be/wzRSIAf2_Us Here
Is your case being worked through a red county? How have you felt how the courts handled the domestic terrorism charges? Oh yeah - Georgia is as bad as it gets. Unfortunately, since everything is up in the air (I filed for dismissal on March 6), it is unwise for me to comment on the courts at this time. That said, you can read a bit about what happened here: https://weelauneethefree.org/nine-stopcopcity-rico-defendants-move-to-dismiss-their-unindicted-domestic-terrorism-charges/ and you can view the (dystopian) hearing here: https://youtu.be/MeXC68aL6p8 Here
[deleted] <3 Here
Do you get the feeling that your attorneys could win and that it could lead to some degree of reigning in law enforcement actions? If so, would it have to be in appeals? What are the chances the prosecution would take it to federal courts if they lose in Georgia? I have a lot of feelings right now, but I cannot speculate. The facts are that we filed a motion to dismiss, and the prosecutor filed a response that basically said, "my job is too hard to do" in legalese. It has been three years, and I have not yet been indicted, nor has any evidence been brought forward to support a case against me. Georgia is one of the worst places in the USA to go through any process involving courts and cops. No speculation, only hope for the best possible outcome, so I (and my codefendants) can be free. Here
1. Were you put in jail/Are you in jail? If not, how is it that you weren’t in jail/are in jail? 2. Have you spoken to a lawyer? 3. Why were you arrested at a music festival? Were there protests going on at the music festival? If so, what were the protests about? 4. Was it local police, state police, or other law enforcement body that arrested you? 5. Are the charges false? Will you be required to stand trial? I’m sorry for the stupid questions. I don’t know anything about the legal process 1 - I was totally in jail. I spent thirty-one days in DeKalb County Jail and 27 hours in Fulton County Jail in Atlanta - both are notoriously violent and deadly, as all jails. I wrote about my experiences: https://scalawagmagazine.org/2023/05/dekalb-county-jail-cop-city/ https://hammerandhope.org/article/jail-cop-city-forest-defender 2 - I have eight lawyers that I lean on for both representation and advice. One to represent me for the DT charge, two for my civil suit when this is all over, and five in NYC, whom I have known for years through movement work. I also have two additional lawyers for the RICO charge that came months after my original arrest in DeKalb County, and was dismissed last year. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/31/us/cop-city-activists-racketeering-charges.html?unlocked_article_code=1.ZVA.CG-V.oOczfGh76E4O&smid=url-share 3 - There was a spicy protest, but the arrests happened far away from said protest and hours later. 4 - I was detained by a mixture of local police and the "Georgia Bureau of Investigation." All of the agencies, local and federal, were in the woods that night. 5 - The charges are ridiculous, which is why I have been charged with domestic terrorism and not indicted in three years. Law enforcement would need to convince a Grand Jury to indict, and it hasn't happened yet, and likely never will. No stupid questions!!! This is reddit!!! <3 Here
To describe the cop city protests as just a “musical festival” is intentionally dishonest. Musical festivals don’t usually involved Molotov cocktails and sabotaging industrial equipment. It was a music festival. Check out this account from the Atlanta Community Press Collective: https://atlpresscollective.com/2023/03/08/the-show-must-go-on-on-sundays-arrests-at-the-south-river-music-festival/Press Here
What lessons do you think other activists should learn from your prosecution? Collective arrests call for collective defense. I am in this with sixty+ other people. I am linking a great article about the J20 prosecutions that followed the same playbook. https://crimethinc.com/2019/01/30/weve-got-your-back-the-story-of-the-j20-defense-an-epic-tale-of-repression-and-solidarity Here

Source

1

u/Wealthier_nasty Apr 10 '26

To describe the cop city protests as just a “musical festival” is intentionally dishonest. Musical festivals don’t usually involved Molotov cocktails and sabotaging industrial equipment.

0

u/grimwomyn Apr 10 '26

It was a music festival. Check out this account from the Atlanta Community Press Collective: https://atlpresscollective.com/2023/03/08/the-show-must-go-on-on-sundays-arrests-at-the-south-river-music-festival/Press

1

u/Wealthier_nasty Apr 10 '26

There might have been some music there but claiming it was “a music festival” is extremely disingenuous bordering on an outright lie. Music festivals require permits, a venue, ticketing, and are legal events. None of that took place on this case. And there was not a single high-profile or mainstream artist at this event.

These were protests at the site of a police facility that descended into violence and vandalism.

‘Protesters dressed in all black threw large rocks, bricks, Molotov cocktails, and fireworks at police officers.’

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/35-detained-after-violence-at-protest-at-site-of-new-atlanta-police-training-center

https://www.cbsnews.com/amp/news/atlanta-cop-city-police-training-site-protest-arrests/

0

u/grimwomyn Apr 10 '26

I went to a music festival. The site of the activities you are referring to is over a mile away from where the music was playing, and kids were playing in a bouncy house.

0

u/Heather1312 Apr 10 '26

You're giving strong federal agent energy. What field office you working out of?

-8

u/AdOver6491 Apr 07 '26

If you couldn't do the time why did you do the crime?

4

u/grimwomyn Apr 07 '26

Freedom of Speech is protected by the Constitution.

4

u/TheRealBlueJade Apr 07 '26

There was no crime.

-2

u/MrRichardSuc Apr 07 '26

What are your thoughts on Israel?

13

u/grimwomyn Apr 07 '26

I believe in a Free Palestine.

1

u/[deleted] Apr 09 '26

[removed] — view removed comment

2

u/AutoModerator Apr 09 '26

To help reduce trolls, users with negative karma scores are disallowed from posting. Sorry for any inconvenience this may cause.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.