Black Georgia Clergy Come Together to Condemn Passage of Voter Suppression Bill HB 1464

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, March 16, 2022

MEDIA CONTACT

Austin Schuler, aschuler@faithinpubliclife.org, 540-280-3393

Atlanta, GA– On Wednesday, March 16, Black clergy from across the state of Georgia joined together to condemn the passage of HB 1464 in the Georgia House.

HB 1464 is another bill designed to limit the freedom of Georgians to vote. The bill would ban counties from receiving donations to run elections and allow for bad-faith “audits” to take place. This bill will make the jobs of poll workers even more difficult and even prohibit donations of food and water to voters in line.

Like SB 202 last year, this is a cruel piece of legislation that aims to make it harder for Georgians to cast their ballots.

For a recording of the event, click here.

Min. Shavonne Williams, Faith in Public Life Action Georgia Organizing Ambassador, Augusta

“Many of the members in power in the General Assembly purport to be of integrity and even claim to espouse Christian and moral values, however, this sudden appearance of HB 1464 late last week and the passing of it late last night fails to display such values. In fact, the embracing of the Big Election Lie and dishonestly pushing bills catering to it reveals a lack of integrity.”

Rev. Dr. Melvin Ivey, Pastor, Greater St. John Baptist Church, Augusta; President, Augusta NAACP

“It is imperative that those of us who stand in front of people every Sunday…pastors, preachers and those who have goodwill…that we encourage people to make sure that they become a part of the process, they do what is necessary to make sure that they cast their vote for the candidate of their choice. I believe that here in the state of Georgia and over America, that there is a concerted effort to choose the voters rather than the voters choosing who would represent them in a particular venue.

Rev. Paul Little, II, Pastor, Bibb Mt. Zion Baptist Church, Macon

“We want to have local and statewide opportunities to share this pertinent information about the necessary adjustments that we need to make. And make sure that people have a comprehensive plan prior to the day of voting… to make sure they can jump over those hurdles without losing their sense of pride and their sense of encouragement when it comes to the voting process.”

Rev. Dr. Donny D. Green, Sr., Pastor, Bibleway Missionary Baptist Church, Albany

“Whatever they are trying to do, it might form but it won't prosper. Because the word of God has already spoken of the first shall be last, and the last shall be first. This bill that they're trying to pass is not just gonna hurt us, or some of the people, it will hurt all the people. But we also know the need of acknowledging the long history of voting rights for African Americans.”

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Faith in Public Life Action is a national movement of clergy and faith leaders united in the prophetic pursuit of justice, equality and the common good. Together, with a network of over 50,000 leaders, they are leading the fight to advance just policies at the state and federal level that affirm our values and the human dignity of all.