Dressed in our silly little costumes and wigs, our small crew set out for a night of Halloween fun. In the spirit of the season, we treated ourselves and tricked our local Cop City contractors. Upon meetup we broke the ice with some drinks, a well placed wheatpasted flyer for Block Cop City, and a few tags in a dark alley. Then we headed to our first target, Cop City architects LS3P.
After a nice little hike, stopping only for a few more wheatpastes along the busy streets and swigs from our Halloween juice jug, we had arrived. The streets were rife with costumed individuals, bar hopping and enjoying themselves. Noting the busy traffic, we took a lap around the block, waiting for the right balance of opening and cover. Seizing an opportunity, we came to a stop in front of the door, seemingly a small group of friends discussing which bar they’d stop at next. We left our message on their door – it read “MURDERERS” – and off we sauntered, blending back in with the crowds, through alleys and across streets, well away before a bystander drew attention to the artwork. Another drink, another alley, another wheatpaste, another tag, another walk, and so begins the second chapter.
We arrived at Cadence Bank, on a more deserted street than the prior target. An opportunity. We began by tagging the side of the building in big bold font – “1312” and “Stop Cop City” – before circling around the building and to the drive up ATM. Deciding to experiment with this method of disruption, we let our scouts keep watch for pigs, and went to work. A thick glob of wheat paste laid over the screen of the ATM, slapping on another BCC flyer and another thick layer to top it off. Didn’t mind the atm camera filming our costumes. (We later learned that the ATM was down for at least a solid 24 hours.) We decorated a few more streets and alleys with flyers, paint, and stop sign stickers (making the signs read “STOP Cop City”), a few stickers over the city’s parking terminal screens, and eventually rolled to a stop for cigarettes, more Halloween juice, and thoughts of next moves.
Our final target, a large office building containing Nationwide offices. We scoped out the scene: pigs patrolling, potential unmarked vehicle with a driver and passenger inside. Opting to remain as discreet as possible, we slipped into the employee parking lot and went to work. We left our mark in paint, illustrating Nationwide’s service to Cop City, keeping their neighbors informed, and serving as our proverbial “warning shot” – “Stop Cop City” “Drop the contract” – And off we went.
Thus concluded our Halloween party. Halloween won’t come again for another year, but there are costume parties all year long. We reminded them that we’re here and we know where they are. Stay tuned.
– Savannah
Submitted Anonymously Over Email