A look at the Georgia laws and bills that caused public screams – some across the country.
ATLANTA – Amid the protests and calls to boycott over SB202, there is a bigger trend towards controversial bills that have attracted national attention in Georgia in recent years.
Living political analyst Andra Gillespie said the heartbeat abortion law in 2019 sparked an outcry and calls for boycotts. The bill was written to ban abortions after doctors found a fetal heartbeat. A federal judge permanently struck down the law.
“Hollywood threatened a boycott, and there were numerous actors who signed pledges not to work in Georgia,” said Gillespie, recalling the law’s response.
Political backlashes in Georgia often lead to boycotts, which the state also witnessed with the law on religious freedom. The law, if passed, would have given faith-based organizations the right to refuse services to the LGBTQ community.
The bill was eventually rejected by former Governor Nathan Deal after a wave of backlash, including threats to pull businesses and major sporting events out of the state.
The calls for a boycott now reflect the same demands. Many companies are issuing statements in response to controversial SB 202 Bill expressing support for voting rights.
“This is a reflection of our highly polarized time. They also want to feel like they are on the right side of the story. Some of it is symbolic, ”said Gillespie.
While SB 202 continues to receive a response, Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms has not withheld her opinion on the bill, calling it “an absolutely insane electoral bill signed by the governor.”
According to Gillespie, calls for boycotts often show signs of solidarity. Stacey Abrams reminds companies that at the end of the day boycotts would hit everyday Georgians hardest.
“One reason it takes a pro-business stance is because these boycotts are an afterthought,” says Gillespie, referring to the bill that has already been incorporated into the law.
Gov. Kemp stands behind his decision to sign the bill, blaming the cancellation culture for the peach state’s outrage and limelight.
