(APN) ATLANTA — A former Habersham County Deputy, Nikki Autry, has been indicted by a federal grand jury on four counts of criminal civil rights violations for providing false information to obtain a “no-knock” search warrant. The no knock warrant allowed a police raid on the Phonesavanh family’s home that resulted in their 18 month-old baby being critically injured […]
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With additional reporting by Anna Simonton and Matthew Charles Cardinale. Photograph by Steve Eberhardt. (APN) ATLANTA — The Georgia General Assembly wrapped up the 2015 legislative session on Thursday, April 02, 2015. There were a few progressive highlights in the majority-Republican Legislature, including a solar power lease agreement bill; a limited medical cannabis bill; and more flexibility for MARTA […]
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(APN) ATLANTA — On Wednesday, March 04, 2015, the Senate Judiciary Non-Civil Committee passed out of Committee, SB 159, by State Sen. Jesse Stone (R-Waynesboro), the No-Knock Search Warrant Bill, by a seven to one vote. Only State Sen. Mike Crane (R- Newnan) opposed the bill. As reported by Atlanta Progressive News, the stated intent of the bill […]
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(APN) ATLANTA — Following concerns raised by activists, State Rep. Kevin Tanner (R-Dawsonville) has backed off his no knock warrant “reform” legislation, HB 56. However, State Sen. Vincent Fort (D-Atlanta) is pushing forward with his legislation, SB 45; and Sen. Jesse Stone (R-Waynesboro) has introduced his own version. Those who have opposed no knock warrant “reform” legislation have included […]
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With additional reporting by Matthew Charles Cardinale (APN) ATLANTA — On Monday, February 09, 2015, the Pak Subcommittee of Judiciary Non-Civil Committee passed the language in HB 56, commonly called the “No Knock bill,” with only minor tweaks. http://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/en-US/Display/20152016/HB/56 The bill’s supporters say it will reform Georgia’s problematic practice of no knock warrants on the part of of […]
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(APN) ATLANTA — Moral Monday Georgia took action for the second time during the 2015 Legislative Session on January 26, 2015, when members of the coalition convened at the State Capitol, urging lawmakers to pass a Law Enforcement Reform package. Over one hundred people formed a circle in the Capitol Rotunda, singing Civil Rights songs adapted to address the […]
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(APN) ATLANTA — On Tuesday, January 21, 2015, State Sen. Vincent Fort (D-Atlanta) today introduced to the public a broad Law Enforcement Reform package. It is sponsored by a bipartisan group of Georgia legislators. Events in the news have prompted an outcry across the nation for police reform and the demilitarization of the police: From the death of Michael […]
Read moreBy Betty Couvertier and Matthew Charles Cardinale. (APN) HABERSHAM COUNTY — On today, Saturday, June 06, 2014, activists from across Georgia converged on Habersham County to rally for an end to the drug war, whose latest victim is a baby, Bounkham “Bou Bou” Phonesavanh. Baby Bou Bou was injured by a flash bang grenade, a military-grade weapon, that police […]
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