For immediate release
February 2, 2023
As police violence sadly is once again in the national spotlight, it’s worth highlighting Home Depot is a key corporate supporter and backer of what is commonly referred to as ‘Cop City’ in Atlanta.
Not even three years ago, then-CEO Craig Manear issued a statement in the wake of the murders of George Floyd and Ahmed Aubrey lamenting the harsh patterns of racism and discrimination in our country. At that time Manear also announced a donation of $1M to the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law in the name of “actionable change” and “building a more inclusive society.”
It is troubling to learn that despite those statements, Home Depot sits on the board of trustees of the Atlanta Police Foundation, which is pushing through the massive police facility commonly referred to as Cop City. In the face of clear and widespread community opposition, and despite the site already fulfilling a vital ecological function as the lungs of Atlanta, the Cop City project was announced in 2021 by then-Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms. The measure was then passed by the Atlanta City Council. Lance Bottoms is married to current Home Depot Chief Diversity Officer Derek Bottoms. It’s unclear what portion of the project’s $90M budget is being provided by Home Depot, but even $1 is too much.
In the name of actionable change and building a more inclusive society, we call on Home Depot to pull their support, both financial and otherwise, from the Atlanta Cop City project.
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Home Depot Workers United is a grassroots movement of Home Depot associates who cultivate and support associate union organizing efforts across the company. We are associates who work in stores, call-centers, distribution centers, and in the field. As associates, we’re the engine that drives Home Depot’s success. We are Home Depot’s greatest asset and competitive advantage.