ATLANTA – State Representatives Taylor Bennett (D-Brookhaven), Park Cannon (D-Atlanta), Dee Dawkins-Haigler (D-Lithonia), Karla Drenner (D-Avondale Estates), and Keisha Waites (D-Atlanta) held a press conference yesterday in response to the General Assembly’s passage of House Bill 757 on Wednesday, March 16.
“I am sure the state is better than this,” said Rep. Cannon. “This will mean that the business community, LGBTQ individuals, and religious minorities may be made inferior by their neighbors, meaning this bill would have sweeping effects on our continuously marginalized communities. In the span of a week, we have armed an entire group of individuals by passing the Campus Carry Act, and are now providing legislation that allows discrimination. Let’s be clear that we are creating a more hostile Georgia.”
“Freedom of religion is fundamental under the First Amendment,” said Rep. Waites. “We should treat each other fairly, and I urge Governor Deal to stand with us to veto this legislation or restore it to the original Pastor Protection Act.”
“When we began the process of working on the original Pastor Protection Act, we had a bipartisan bill that everyone agreed upon,” said Rep. Bennett. “I commend Speaker Ralston and his office for working with us on that legislation, and the result was unanimous approval in the House; however, the final product was not the positive legislation that we originally crafted.”
“What would Jesus do? What we do unto the least of these, we also do unto Him,” said Rep. Dawkins-Haigler. “Now is always the right time to do what is right, and I ask you to reach out to Gov. Deal to ask him to veto this legislation.”
“This bill contains portions of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act and the First Amendment Defense Act, both of which explicitly state discrimination,” said Rep. Drenner. “When we allow discrimination in any form, we can no longer call ourselves free, because some of us are not. Three years of debate has damaged Georgia’s brand, and I’m hopeful that Gov. Deal will stand with us and veto this legislation.”
The final version of House Bill 757 passed both the House and Senate on Wednesday, March 16. Gov. Nathan Deal will now have until May 3 to consider the legislation.
For more information on HB 757, please click here.
Representative Taylor Bennett represents the citizens of District 80, which includes portions of DeKalb and Fulton counties. He was elected into the House of Representatives in 2015, and currently serves on the Budget & Fiscal Affairs Oversight, Judiciary, and Small Business Development committees.
Representative Park Cannon represents the citizens of District 58, which includes portions of Fulton County. She was elected into the House of Representatives in 2016, and currently serves on the Code Revision, Human Relations & Aging, and Small Business Development committees.
Representative Dee Dawkins-Haigler represents the citizens of District 91, which includes portions of DeKalb and Rockdale counties. She was elected into the House of Representatives in 2008, and currently serves on the Banks & Banking, Human Relations & Aging, Industry & Labor, and Science & Technology committees.
Representative Karla Drenner represents the citizens of District 85, which includes portions of DeKalb County. She was elected into the House of Representatives in 2000, and currently serves on the Energy, Utilities & Telecommunications, Health & Human Services, Natural Resources & Environment, Rules, and Small Business Development committees.
Representative Keisha Waites represents the citizens of District 60, which includes portions of Clayton and Fulton counties. She was elected into the House of Representatives in 2012, and currently serves on the Interstate Cooperation, Juvenile Justice, Public Safety & Homeland Security, Special Rules, and Transportation committees.
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