All charges are being dropped against the Georgia State Representative who was arrested after she knocked on the Governor's door. Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis released astatement indicating that she would not be prosecuting State Representative Park Cannon.
Cannon, who represents east Atlanta, was taken into custody by state capitol police on March 25. She was attempting to gain entry as Governor Brian Kemp signed Senate Bill 202 into law. Voting rights advocates say the new law is restrictive, and imposes on the rights of Georgians, especially those of color.
Cannon had been charged with 2 felonies: obstruction of law enforcement and distruption of the General Assembly.
I spoke with Park's attorney Gerald Griggs, who says they are now weighing their options following the dismissal of the charges.
Fulton County DA Willis said in a statement:
The office of the Fulton County District Attorney’s lawful duty is to investigate alleged felonies occurring in Fulton County and to prosecute when appropriate. This office takes seriously its duty to prosecute crimes of violence, particularly when committed against law enforcement officers.
In our investigation of the incidents leading to the arrest of Representative Park Cannon on March 25, 2021, we received full cooperation from multiple citizen witnesses who were willing to provide in-person interviews about what they witnessed. We thank them for their assistance. We also received the cooperation of the Capitol Police, who provided statements, video evidence, and multiple police reports in an expeditious manner.
After reviewing all of the evidence, I have decided to close this matter. It will not be presented to a grand jury for consideration of indictment, and it is now closed.
While some of Representative Cannon’s colleagues and the police officers involved may have found her behavior annoying, such sentiment does not justify a presentment to a grand jury of the allegations in the arrest warrants or any other felony charges.