STATEMENT ON GEORGIA HB 838:
For the past few weeks, Fair Fight Action has watched Georgia’s legislative leaders respond to the murders of #RayshardBrooks and #AhmaudArbery, as well as violence toward those demanding justice in our streets.
For the past few weeks, Fair Fight Action has watched Georgia’s legislative leaders respond to the murders of #RayshardBrooks and #AhmaudArbery, as well as violence toward those demanding justice in our streets.
We were deeply disturbed by Senate Republicans' attempts to ruin a bipartisan hate crimes bill by adding law enforcement protections due to the fact that solid police protections already exist in Georgia law.
After immense pressure from our allies, Senate Republicans decided to remove the law enforcement protections from the hate crimes bill and insert it into another bill, HB 838, rather than break away from the amendment completely.
To add insult to injury, Georgia Republicans decided to unnecessarily pass the additional law enforcement protections at the same time #RayshardBrooks was being laid to rest after being killed by a police officer miles away from the Georgia State Capitol.
So while Georgia Republicans want to claim victory for being forced into passing an overdue hate crimes bill, Fair Fight Action wants to be clear: we strongly oppose HB 838.
This bill does not protect Black lives, in fact it puts Black lives and those fighting for justice in our streets in even more danger.
Georgia’s legislative leaders should be ashamed of their actions during a time when Black Georgians are fighting for their lives due to the onslaught of violence against their bodies and the COVID-19 pandemic ravaging their communities.
If Brian Kemp wants to prove that his willingness to sign HB 426 isn’t hypocrisy, he will show its integrity by vetoing HB 838. It’s truly the least he can do.
