A new true crime podcast series explores the shooting death of an environmental protester by Georgia law enforcement.
“We Came to the Forest” is a six-part narrative series by award-winning podcast creator, writer, Campside co-founder, and longtime Atlanta resident Matthew Shaer.
The series follows the shooting death of environmental activist Tortuguita (Manuel Esteban Paez Teran) by law enforcement in Georgia. The film focuses on the years-long battle between forest-dwelling activists and the construction of “Cop City,” one of the largest police training facilities in the United States.
The story follows a group of protesters known as “Forest Defenders” and the personal journeys that led to their activism. New facts, perspectives and nuances have emerged about the dramatic clash between police and protesters and the events that ultimately led to Totuguita's death.
Through his courtship with Vienna Forrest, a young activist from Nebraska, Risner leaves behind her old life to join the growing protests against a $90 million-plus police training facility in Atlanta. , we first meet the protester Tortuguita.
Their relationship, along with intimate stories and interviews with Forrest and Tortuguita's mother, Belkis Teran, leads to the heart of the investigation into what happened in the forest leading up to that fateful day.
This series examines how moment-to-moment tensions between protesters, law enforcement, and government officials have consistently heightened the risk of violence that seems inevitable. Masu.
As Atlanta puts the finishing touches on Cop City in early 2025, the two-year anniversary of Tortuguita's murder approaches and the family continues its fight in court. “We Came to the Woods” delves deep into a story that could define interactions between police and protesters for years to come.
We Came to the Forest is a production of Wondery, Campside Media and Tenderfoot TV. The six-episode series launches next week on January 27th, and all six episodes are available to watch ad-free on Wondery+.
The first two episodes will also be available on all podcast platforms starting January 27th, with subsequent episodes released weekly.
