Last week the Georgia Republicans did theElectoral Integrity Act of 2021,This is a euphemistic name for a series of laws that drastically restrict voting rights and access. The new laws – signed by Governor Brian Kemp on March 25th – Reduce the time it takes to vote by mail while enforcing stricter ID rules and eliminating mobile voting buses that have helped avoid long lines. In an exercise of sheer defiance, the laws also limit the supply of food and drink to those waiting for voting lines; Now only election workers are allowed to distribute water, even though some lines last for hours. especially in communities where there are not enough polling stations in Georgia.
The law follows the 2020 elections, in which President Joe Biden won GeorgiaDemocrats Rhael Warnock and Jon Ossoff won crucial Senate seats. Activists, historians, and voting representatives view the law as an attempt to do so artificially reinforce republican control of the state, nickname them „Jim Crow 2.0. ”
The outcry against the law was widespread, and even came from President Joe Biden. Meanwhile, Coca-Cola, one of Georgia’s largest employers – and whose brand is deeply intertwined with the state because of its creation and centuries of history – declined to speak out against the law during the debate. Instead, it made a vaguely positive statement that the company “worked with the Metro Atlanta Chamber to express our concerns and advocate a positive change in electoral law. We have worked with our business coalition partners to find improvements that will improve accessibility, maximize voter turnout, maintain electoral integrity, and serve all Georgians. ” via Bloomberg.
In response to Coke’s inaction, black leaders across Georgia and the United States called for a boycott. Bishop Reginald Jackson of the AME Sixth Episcopal District he said Atlanta Journal Constitution“We’ll talk to our wallets. Last summer, Coke and other companies said they needed to speak out against racism. But they kept quiet about it. „Dozens of black executives have also urged companies to as the reported„Publicly and directly against new laws that restrict the rights of black voters and use their clout, money and lobbyists to influence the debate with lawmakers.”
In response to that pressure, Coca-Cola’s CEO James Quincey finally spoke out on Wednesday. saying“I want to be crystal clear. The Coca-Cola Company does not endorse this legislation because it is harder for people to vote, not easier. ”
„This legislation is wrong and needs to be fixed, and we will continue to be more committed to it both privately and now,” said Quincey said on CNBC. He went on to say that Coca-Cola was „always” against the legislation, but held back from commenting publicly until it was passed. Which makes perfect sense – you should always hold back until you speak out against bad things after this They’re already sharpened and not when you still have the chance to stop them. It’s worth noting that Cola has a significant impact not only as one of the largest companies in Georgia, but also because it is one of many companies to donate to the sponsors of the bill.
It’s just another reminder of it, no matter how many „You” pronouns that a company uses in an adBusinesses exist to make money, not to promote humane politics.
alinaf