As many celebrated Major League Baseball (MLB’s) decision to move its All-Star game from Georgia following Gov. Brian Kemp’s sweeping voting bill, politician and activist Stacey Abrams says she is “disappointed” over the resolution.
“Disappointed @MLB will move the All-Star Game, but proud of their stance on voting rights. GA GOP traded economic opportunity for suppression. On behalf of PoC targeted by #SB202 to lose votes + now wages, I urge events & productions to come & speak out or stay & fight. #gapol,” Abrams tweeted before releasing a full statement in response.
The law will require voter identification for absentee ballots, allow state officials to oversee local elections boards, limit the use of ballot drop boxes, and even makes it illegal to offer food and water to voters standing on line.
“Major League Baseball fundamentally supports voting rights for all Americans and opposes restrictions to the ballot box,” baseball commissioner Rob Manfred said in a statement. “Fair access to voting continues to have our unwavering support.”
In the days leading up to the decision, Abrams had urged companies not to pull out of Georgia but to stay and fight the injustice.
“However, one lesson of boycotts is that the pain of deprivation must be shared to be sustainable. Otherwise, those least resilient bear the brunt of these actions; and in the aftermath, they struggle to access the victory. And boycotts are complicated affairs that require a long-term commitment to action. I have no doubt that voters of color, particularly Black voters, are willing to endure the hardships of boycotts. But I don’t think that’s necessary — yet.” Abrams wrote in an op-ed for USA Today.
Kemp took to Twitter to scold the MLB.
“Today, Major League Baseball caved to fear, political opportunism, and liberal lies,” Kemp said in a statement: “I will not back down. Georgians will not be bullied. We will continue to stand up for secure, accessible, fair elections.”
But Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms had the perfect comeback:
“Just as elections have consequences, so do the actions of those who are elected,” she tweeted shortly after the MLB’s announcement. “Unfortunately, the removal of the @MLB All Star game from GA is likely the 1st of many dominoes to fall, until the unnecessary barriers put in place to restrict access to the ballot box are removed.”
