About Atlanta Intown. (Sandy Springs, GA) 1998-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 1, 2025)
16 | OCTOBER 2025 ROUGHDRAFT.NEWS Oakland Cemetery columbarium niches 60% sold Courtesy Historic Oakland Foundation By Collin Kelley Historic Oakland Cemetery has unveiled its first new interment option in more than 140 years. The Columbarium at Oakland Cemetery will offer niches for cremated remains, designed in 19th-century architecture to match the other Victorian monuments in the 175-year-old burial ground. The columbarium will be located between East Hill and the historic African American Burial Grounds, transforming an unused roadway into a new memorial garden. The niches are open to people of all faiths and backgrounds. Since sales began on Sept. 3, more than 60% of the available niches have already been reserved, with fewer than 100 niches remaining at press time. Columbarium construction will begin in the spring 2026, with completion estimated later in the fall. Proceeds from the sales will help fund cemetery improvements and preservation by the Historic Oakland Foundation. Judge dismisses RICO charges against ‘Cop City’ protesters By Rough Draft Staff A Fulton County judge dismissed racketeering charges against all 61 defendants accused of trying to stop construction of Atlanta’s controversial public safety training center, commonly referred to by critics as “Cop City.” According to the Associated Press, Superior Court Judge Kevin Farmer ruled that Republican Attorney General Chris Carr lacked the authority to bring the sweeping 2023 indictments under Georgia’s RICO law without authorization from Gov. Brian Kemp. The case was believed to be the largest racketeering prosecution ever brought against protesters in U.S. history. Farmer said Carr also lacked the authority to pursue arson charges against several defendants, though domestic In addition to the columbarium, Oakland is offering a “Tribute Bench” to honor loved ones on the grounds or outside the visitor center. Benches feature custom-engraved plaques and are placed in scenic, contemplative areas throughout the cemetery. To learn more about the columbarium, visit oaklandcemetery.com/columbarium. terrorism counts may still stand. He indicated a formal order will be filed soon, with an appeal expected. The indictment, which carried potential 20-year prison sentences, targeted a broad spectrum of alleged actions, from Molotov cocktail attacks to distributing fliers and food to protesters in South River Forest where the training center is located. Critics had blasted the case as politically motivated, while supporters, including Kemp, called it essential to stopping “out- of-state radicals.” The “Stop Cop City” movement opposed the $90 million facility on environmental and civil rights grounds. The training center opened earlier this year despite years of protests, delays, security concerns, and the death of Manuel Esteban Paez Teran, a protester, after a confrontation with police. OCT. 4, 2025 - JAN 11, 2026 TREASURES soprintendenza delmare 4 UNDERWATER ARCHAEOLOGY EXHIBIT Open daily with late hours on select nights Organized by Contemporanea Progetti in collaboration with the Regione Siciliana - Soprintendenza del Mare di Palermo, Italia (Italy). Photos © Salvo Emma - Soprintendenza del Mare; ©Archivio Fotografico Soprintendenza del Mare FREE FOR / MEMBERS SUNKEN OVL A WORLD OF WOW Get Tickets at FernbankMuseum.org/SunkenTreasures Fernbank MUSEUM I 3D THEATER I FOREST
