Over the years, we have been honored to have artists decorate our house with inspiring images and messages. Street art is an expression of our politics, and the creativity of resistance.

Now, the Atlanta Police Department claims that our art is illegal. They have issued us a code violation notice, and will file charges if we don’t destroy all the paintings on our house. We tried to explain that it’s not vandalism, it’s art which we authorized to be there. Even the law says we’re in the right, but the cops don’t care.

Why is this happening? Because developers are aggressively gentrifying Edgewood. For decades, our neighborhood has been home to mostly poor, mostly black people. Now richer white people are moving in, and they bring with them an agenda: increase property values by purging the neighborhood of “unsightly” elements.

Gentrifiers consider many things about our neighborhood “unsightly”: Young black people congregating in public. Homeless people pushing shopping carts. Poor people repairing cars on the street. And of course, graffiti.

It’s not just the style of our art, though – it’s the message. Code Enforcement said they had received numerous complaints about a prominent piece on our house which says “No Cops”. As Copwatch activists, we document the racist policing practices in the neighborhood. We expose the lies police tell and the abuses they commit. We don’t trust the cops, and we make that known.

That message is at odds with the gentrification agenda. The police work hand in hand with gentrifiers to “clean up” the neighborhood by harassing, evicting, and arresting poor black residents. For challenging that agenda, we have become targets, too.

We will not be removing any of our artwork.

In fact, we would like to add more. But challenging the city on this will be a fight, and we need support. Please spread the word about this situation and let us know if you can offer any help or advice. If you are an artist and would like to contribute more radical art to our walls, please get in touch.

For art and revolution!

APD officers are supposed to wear nametags which clearly identify them. But often they don’t, especially when wearing non-standard uniforms. If police won’t identify themselves, how can we hold them accountable?

If you have video or pictures of APD officers without visible nametags, we want to see it. Please get in touch!

The Teardown crew has been distributing blankets to homeless folks who sleep in tunnels and overpasses downtown. They are constantly harassed by the police and have trouble getting enough blankets to stay warm on these bitter nights.

We are asking for donations of blankets, sleeping bags, and warm clothes. You can drop them off at 80 Mayson Ave NE any time. This week they’re especially needed!

The Klan plans a major march to the top of Stone Mountain on April 23rd and we need to stop it. This action is very symbolic for them, because the Klan was born at Stone Mountain a century ago. They’re hoping to make a show of force and capitalize on all the white supremacist activity that has been making headlines: from Trump to the Bundy Militia standoff to the confederate flag controversy.

It’s a critical time. This could be a moment where the KKK gains a lot more respect and members. Or it could be the moment where we all get together and slap them down so hard that it’s another century before they try it again!

Is anyone working to oppose this Klan march, or does anyone want to? Let us know!