Georgia remains in the national spotlight this week as the effects of the state’s controversial electoral law linger.
Hear how Emil Moffatt from WABE breaks the new law with our Lisa Rayam.
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp continues to stand behind the state’s new electoral laws, even as large corporations take action against them.
At a state capitol press conference following Major League Baseball’s announcement that the Atlanta All-Star game would be relocated, the Republican blamed what he called “disinformation” for the backlash.
“They have ignored the facts of our new electoral integrity law and ignored the consequences of their decision for our local community,” said Kemp.
According to David Becker of the non-partisan Center for Election Innovation and Research, the new comprehensive electoral laws are largely unnecessary in Georgia and other states.
Electoral Laws: Colorado vs. Georgia …
Poll workers deposit ballots from voters in the thoroughfare at the CentrePoint Plaza polling station in Aurora, Colorado on Election Day, November 3, 2020. (Hart Van Denburg / CPR News)
After Major League Baseball pulled its all-star game out of Truist Park in Cobb County, MLB officials loaned the game and its weekend parties to Coors Field in Denver, Colorado. The move sparked outrage among Georgia Republican lawmakers, who came under fire for passing the state’s new electoral law. Some, like Kemp, called the move “hypocritical,” suggesting that Colorado’s voting rules are stricter than Georgia’s.
WABE spoke to Caitlyn Kim of Colorado Public Radio about the voting rules in Colorado.
I’m looking for “a real monument …”
Last weekend, a consecration ceremony took place on the grounds of the old Chattahoochee Brick Co., during which many black people are believed to have died without proper burial. The brick factory was one of many post-civil war convict labor camps in the south where black men, women and children were sold in captivity, many after being arrested on trumped-up charges. (Christopher Alston / WABE)
Black community leaders are confident they can make headway in a battle to reclaim land in northwest Atlanta that they say is sacred.
Clergy, activists, lawmakers and community members held a dedication ceremony on the grounds of the old Chattahoochee Brick Co. last weekend to commemorate the victims of the atrocities taking place there.
Bigger than baseball …
The night Hank Aaron made history, two teenagers ran into the field to celebrate the monumental achievement. (Ron Sherman)
It was 47 years ago when Hank Aaron broke Babe Ruth’s record in front of a sold-out crowd at Atlanta’s Fulton County Stadium in front of a sold-out crowd.
Aaron – who was also a civil rights hero and did so much for Atlanta – suffered extreme racial abuse throughout his career, particularly as he neared Ruth’s record.
As he circled the bases on April 8, 1974 and so many people partied, Aaron said to WABE in 2016 everything he thought was relief.
“It’s been 2½ years, I’ve probably told this story many times, it was probably the saddest 2½ years I’ve ever had in baseball,” said Aaron.
In times like these, moments like this turn out to be much bigger than sport. As legendary Vin Scully put it so perfectly that day:
“What a wonderful moment for baseball! What a wonderful moment for Atlanta and the State of Georgia! What a wonderful moment for the country and the world! A black guy gets a standing ovation in the deep south for breaking an all-time baseball idol record!
