ATLANTA — Following Georgia corporations’ silence before and since the signing of Senate Bill 202, new reporting breaks down just how “severe” the consequences could be for Georgia companies in industries from transportation to sports to film production.
These potential consequences are the result of Georgia Republicans’ rollback of voting rights and Georgia corporations’ silence. Amid the fallout from this disastrous law that transfers “unprecedented” amounts of power to the partisan state legislature while criminalizing handing out water to voters among other changes, Georgia is at risk of a boycott of the entertainment industry and of the state’s 18 Fortune 500 companies such as Delta and Coca-Cola — not to mention an estimated $200 million now at risk if the MLB pulls its All-Star Game out of Georgia.
These “growing calls” come on the heels of a recent AJC editorial warning that “there may be a political and economic price to be paid for Georgia lawmakers’ contemptuous stance toward making voting reasonably accessible to all who are legally able to do so.” Given the “widespread criticism” of the law, Georgia businesses are now set to face potentially massive fallout after their silence on Republicans’ reckless anti-voter push — with an even greater need for federal action to protect voting rights in Georgia.
AJC: Delta, Coke face boycott campaigns over new Georgia voting law
“Two of Atlanta’s biggest brands…are facing consumer boycott threats after Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp signed new voting restrictions into law last week. Social media posts carrying the hashtags #BoycottDelta, #BoycottDeltaAirlines and #BoycottCocaCola proliferated on Twitter as critics of the Republican-backed legislation accused the two Atlanta-based companies of not having done enough to stop its passage.”
WaPo: Delta faces boycott threats for stance on new Georgia voting law
“A Delta post about flights to Iceland on Friday was inundated during the weekend with responses about the Georgia law. Some said they would be eager to fly to the country — on another airline. Others vowed not to fly anywhere with Delta again.”
CNN: Georgia voting law leads to calls for some sports events to be moved or canceled
“Georgia has a long history of attracting national sports events, but a controversial new voting law might have severe repercussions for that tradition. A leading Black civil rights group is calling on the PGA Tour to pull out of the upcoming Masters Tournament in Augusta after Republican Gov. Brian Kemp last week signed into law one of the nation’s most restrictive voting rights.”
Atlanta Voice: Georgia’s new voter suppression law could cost Atlanta the MLB All-Star Game & $200 Million
“The team estimates that more than 100,000 people will attend events as part of Major League Baseball’s All-Star Game, which the Braves are scheduled to host in July. Sometimes the best-laid plans … well, we know the rest. In this case, Georgia lawmakers’ restrictive and oppressive new voter laws may cost the team and city the privilege of hosting Major League Baseball’s summer showcase. It may also cost the local economy more than $200 million.”
NYT: Corporations, Vocal About Racial Justice, Go Quiet on Voting Rights
“Last week, as Georgia Republicans rushed to pass a sweeping law restricting voter access, Atlanta’s biggest corporations, including Delta, Coca-Cola and Home Depot, declined to weigh in, offering only broad support for voting rights. The muted response — coming from companies that last year promised to support social justice — infuriated activists, who are now calling for boycotts.”
Hollywood Reporter: Will Hollywood Boycott Georgia Over New Voting Law?
“Georgia is facing calls for a potential boycott from Hollywood, this time over a new controversial voting bill that Republican Gov. Brian Kemp signed March 25. […] It’s also been denounced by many in Hollywood.”
The Guardian: Georgia activists call for Coca-Cola boycott over ‘deafening silence’ on voting rights
“Georgia activists are calling for a statewide boycott of Coca-Cola as part of an escalating effort to get major corporations to oppose significant voting restrictions Republicans in the state legislature are on the verge of approving. The call for the boycott, first reported by the Atlanta Journal Constitution, is coming from leaders of the sixth district of the AME church, which includes more than 500 Black churches in Georgia.”
HuffPost: Calls Mount To Boycott Coca-Cola After Home State Of Georgia Strangles Voting Rights
“Coca-Cola, headquartered in Atlanta, offered what critics have called too-measured statements about voting rights and no real action to battle the measure. Some pointed out that the company’s silence means it’s now illegal for a bottle of its own Dasani mineral water to be passed out to voters waiting in long lines.”
Savannah Now: Savannah mayor ‘re-evaluating’ Coke, Delta, other Georgia products after voting reform bill
“Savannah Mayor Van Johnson is urging major Georgia corporations to use their lobbying power to put their money where their mouth is when it comes to standing up for racial justice and standing against what he called voter suppression.”
CBS: Georgia’s Black clergymen urge Coca-Cola boycott over voting laws overhaul
“Coca-Cola should be boycotted until the Atlanta-based company publicly opposes the Georgia’s newly passed voting laws, a group of prominent local Black clergymen said. The group urged a similar boycott against large companies with Peach State headquarters and major regional operations, including Aflac, Delta Airlines, Home Depot and UPS.”
The Atlantic: OPINION: Sports Should Boycott Georgia
“Major League Baseball is scheduled to hold its 91st All-Star Game at Truist Park in Atlanta on July 13—the first time in 21 years the league’s annual showcase is to be played in that city. But pro baseball should extend Atlanta’s All-Star drought, and other sports should avoid scheduling their own signature events in Georgia, to show Republican state lawmakers that their latest efforts at voter suppression are unacceptable.”
Yahoo Sports: Civil rights group urges boycott, relocation of The Masters after Georgia voting bill
“A national civil rights group is urging the PGA Tour and The Masters Tournament to move next month’s major championship out of Georgia — and away from the iconic Augusta National Golf Club — in the wake of Georgia’s new voting law.”
Business Insider: Calls to boycott Coca-Cola after Biden called Georgia’s planned voting restrictions ‘Jim Crow in the 21st Century’
“Calls for Coca-Cola to be boycotted in its home state of Georgia have been triggered by plans for new voting restrictions that President Joe Biden has condemned as “Jim Crow in the 21st century.” The drinks’ giant’s boycott is being led by the AME Sixth Episcopal District of Georgia, which includes over 500 Black churches”
Today Show: Civil rights groups call for Masters golf tournament to move out of Georgia
“Georgia is drawing attention and criticism over a controversial new voting measure just signed into law. The National Black Justice Coalition is calling on the famed Masters tournament to pull out of the state, and there is talk of moving Major League Baseball’s All-Star Game out of Atlanta.”
CBS46: Georgia’s Legislative Black Caucus calls on business community to oppose voting reform bills
“Georgia’s Legislative Black Caucus is joining civic groups trying to engage the private sector in pushing back against voter reform bills moving through the state legislatures. “Our whole message to the business community leaders is we cannot afford for them to be silent,” said Rep. Derrick Jackson, D-Tyrone, vice-chair of the Legislative Black Caucus.”
Augusta Chronicle: Civil rights group calls for Masters removal from Augusta National to protest new Ga. law
“The National Black Justice Coalition is calling on the PGA Tour and Masters Tournament to pull the upcoming event from Augusta National Golf Club in reaction to the recent passing of Georgia’s voter bill, SB 202. The NBJC is also urging professional golfers to boycott playing in Georgia until the bill is repealed.”
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