Georgia is on the brink of enacting extreme, Arizona-style immigration laws that could enable racial profiling and cripple the state’s economy. At a recent rally in front of the Capitol with thousands of people, Georgia civil rights leader Congressman John Lewis strongly condemned the bills. Small business owners even sent letters to the Governor, asking him to block this dangerous legislation. Still, the bills are moving forward and could reach the Governor’s desk in a matter of days.
This issue is not just an issue impacting Latinos. It impacts Caribbeans, Africans, Asians, Europeans — ALL of us. However, it is certain that people of color will be the ones most affecting by the racial profiling that is likely to occur. While local groups have been busy petitioning Georgia’s governor, Nathan Deal, to commit to a veto, the stakes just got even higher. Last week, national civil rights leaders sent a letter to Governor Deal, stating that they will launch a boycott of Georgia similar to the one that devastated Arizona’s tourism industry, should these bills become law.
The group Alto Georgia is part of a statewide effort to collect signatures for a petition that they will deliver directly to the Governor on Monday. Will you join them?
Stand with thousands others against the Arizonification of Georgia: Sign the petition to urge Governor Nathan Deal to commit to veto this destructive legislation.
The Arizona-style bills would drive immigrant workers, families, and businesses out of Georgia. They would encourage racial profiling by turning Georgia into a show me your papers state, where police check immigration statuses during routine legal stops. This means that if your skin is a bit browner than average — or you dont speak perfect English — you could be treated as a suspect.
Whats more, Arizonas infamous law, SB 1070, has already cost the state millions of dollars in lost tourism and litigation such a law would badly wound the states reputation and kick the legs out from under Georgias economy. If the calls for national boycotts are already starting, imagine what will happen if the bills become law.
That’s why 270 Georgia small business owners came out strongly against the legislation this week, saying: We urge you to consider the message we send to the foreign investors and workers that are vital to our success on the global stage.
