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Voting rights activist Stacey Abrams warns Georgian business boycott of new state voting rights law, calling it “not yet necessary” as President Biden sings a tune different.
Abrams, the Democratic candidate for state governor in 2018, argued against a boycott in an editorial published by USA Today on Wednesday, after weeks of public outrage, including from much of Hollywood and many companies.
The bill, signed by Gov. Brian Kemp last Thursday, revises electoral protocols in Peach State, places new restrictions on postal voting and strengthens legislative control over the voting process.
President Biden initially called the bill “Jim Crow on steroids” the day after he was signed, but went even further on Wednesday night, saying he would “strongly support” moving the Major League All-Star game. Baseball out of Atlanta in protest.
“I think professional athletes today are acting incredibly responsible,” Biden said in an interview with ESPN. “I would strongly support them for that. People are looking to them. They are leaders. “
Abrams disagreed in her op-ed, arguing that while boycotts have worked in the past, she didn’t want such efforts to hurt local businesses and residents of Georgia.
Yet she recognized the need to hold businesses accountable.
“Until we hear clear and unequivocal statements that show Georgia-based companies understand what is at stake, I cannot dispute an individual’s choice to go with their competition,” wrote Abrams.
“However, one lesson to be learned from boycotts is that the pain of deprivation must be shared to be sustainable. Otherwise, it is the less resilient who are most affected by these actions; and then they fight for victory, ”she continued.
“[B]Oycotts are a complex business that requires a long term commitment to action. I have no doubt that voters of color, especially black voters, are prepared to endure the hardships of the boycott. But I don’t think it’s necessary – yet.
In Biden’s interview, however, he defended his support for a boycott by speaking out against the law itself.
“Imagine passing a law saying that you cannot provide water or food to someone who is in line to vote. You can not do this? Come on, ”he told the network,“ Or are you going to close a polling station at 5 pm when the workers just come down? It’s about preventing the working people and the ordinary people I grew up with from being able to vote. “
Biden and Abrams’ statements came after the CEO of Georgia-based Delta Airlines opposed the new law, calling it “unacceptable” and “based on a lie.”
The MLB players union has announced that it is considering moving the All-Star Game out of the Atlanta Braves stadium.
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