Some activists are threatening to boycott Georgia and some of the largest corporations based there.
ATLANTA – Opponents of the new electoral law in Georgia are now putting more pressure on the state and threatening to boycott Georgia and some of the largest local companies.
Some of these changes to the Voting Act include requiring an ID number to request a postal vote, cutting off requests for postal voting 11 days prior to election day, limiting the number of mailboxes for postal voting, and making handing out of food or offense an offense make water to voters in line.
Film director James Mangold is among some in the film industry who tweet that he will no longer make films in the peach state due to the new law.
“I think a boycott could have an impact if it actually has an economic impact on Georgia,” said Mike Hassinger, a Republican political advisor and strategist.
We believe that voting is a fundamental right in America and that access should be broad and inclusive. More information: https://t.co/Cidf8CyNUb pic.twitter.com/giiAKerkK3
– The Coca-Cola Co. (@CocaColaCo) March 26, 2021
The executive director of the Major League Baseball Players’ Association told The Boston Globe that some players want to reschedule July’s All-Star Game from Cobb County because they believe the law is suppressing minority voters.
The National Black Justice Coalition urges professional golfers to refuse to play at The Masters in Augusta in April unless the law is repealed.
Hassinger, in a sense, said these boycotts could only be used to make noise, but as we saw with similar boycotts in 2019 of the so-called Heartbeat Abortion Act, it can make waves.
RELATED: Georgia Corporations Respond to New Electoral Law Signed by Governor Brian Kemp as Boycott Demand Raises
“Most of Hollywood was sitting on his hands waiting for the courts to weigh up. The courts basically overturned that law, found it unconstitutional and exaggerated, and it’s now sort of working its way through the courts,” he said.
Joseph Watson Jr. teaches politics and politics communication at UGA and has several years of experience in politics.
“If I were on the defensive I would take it very seriously and I would only take it seriously in the sense that there are a lot of corporate brands at play here and corporate brands generally don’t like that kind of attention,” he said. “It is also worth noting that there have been some setbacks from activists. “
Please end the # BoycottGeorgia conversation. That would harm middle class workers and people struggling with poverty. And it would increase the damage done by racism and classism.
– Be a King (@BerniceKing) March 26, 2021
For example, Dr. Bernice King, who spoke out against the bill but tweeted that a boycott would hurt middle class workers and those living in poverty, and noted the importance of telling the difference between boycotting the state and boycotting corporations understand.
A federal lawsuit has already been filed against the new law.
Hassinger said he believes the next thing to do is to see the courts move forward.
“If any part of this law is found to violate the 14th Amendment, the courts will inform the legislature and put it down,” he said.
