A group of GOP state lawmakers in Georgia are pushing for the removal of Coca-Cola products from their offices after the company’s CEO criticized the state’s recently passed voting bill.
The legislators signed on a letter, dated Saturday and addressed to Kevin Perry, who serves as president and CEO of the Georgia Beverage Association, and rapped the company for admitting to what they called “cancel culture.”
Among the signatories were eight representatives from the GOP State House: Victor Anderson, Clint Crowe, Matt Barton, Jason Ridley, Lauren McDonald III, Stan Gunter, Dewayne Hill, and Marcus Wiedower.
The letter takes even more photos of the company, accusing it of having decided to “perpetuate a national dialogue,” they said “to deliberately mislead the citizens of Georgia and widen a rift in our great state.”
Removing some Republican state legislatures in Georgia @Coca Cola products from their state offices after the Atlanta-based liquor giant criticized the new election bill. #gapol pic.twitter.com/leojXBGQAM
– Greg Bluestein (@bluestein) April 3, 2021
It comes days after Coca-Cola CEO James Quincey enacted voting laws enacted by Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp
Brian Kemp Trump calls on Republicans to boycott companies amid controversy over the voting bill. Georgia County Says All-Star Game Removal Will Cost Tourism 0M Kemp: Voting Rights ‘Worth The Boycotts As Well As The Lawsuits’ MORE (R) “unacceptable” and “one step back”.
“Let me be crystal clear and unambiguous, this legislation is unacceptable, it is a step back and it does not promote principles that we have stood for in Georgia, around widespread access to votes, around voter convenience, on ensuring election integrity, and this is fair said just take a step back, ‘said Quincey.
Among the changes to the electoral process that are included in the law are provisions that create a Voter ID requirement for absentee voting and restrict the use of ballots.
The law also includes language that extends early voting in the state on weekends, though another amendment to the bill shifts the deadline for applying for absentee ballots. A provision that sparked backlash from critics also prohibits volunteers from handing out drinks or food to people lining up to vote.
In their letter to Perry on Saturday, lawmakers wrote that they “have a responsibility to all of Georgia not to engage in those misguided intentions, nor to continue to support companies that choose to do so.”
They also praised parts of the law that they said will “ expand early voting opportunities, provide a path to ensure shorter voting lines, secure the use of dropboxes that would otherwise be illegal, as well as several other provisions that allow all Georgians more access. give for quick, safe and transparent elections. “
“Given Coke’s choice to give in to the pressures of an out of control culture of cancellation, we respectfully request that all Coca-Cola Company products be removed from our office suite immediately,” they continued. “Should Coke choose to read the bill, share its true intentions, and accept their role in spreading falsehoods, we would be happy to have a conversation to rebuild a working relationship.”
Republicans have argued that the legislation – in Georgia and other states – is necessary to increase electoral security and public confidence in Georgia elections after previous elections. President Trump
Donald Trump Lawmakers Say Solving Border Crisis Is Up to Biden Trump Calls on Republicans to Boycott Businesses Amid Voting Controversy Georgia County Says All-Star Game Removal Will Cost Tourism MORE and other prominent GOP figures are spreading unproven claims of widespread voter fraud in the presidential race following his defeat by President Biden
Joe Biden Lawmakers say resolving a border crisis is up to Biden Trump calls on Republicans to boycott companies amid controversy over the voting bill. White House: GOP has ‘struggled to formulate a reason’ to oppose infrastructure plan MORE
Democrats and voting rights advocates have argued that the legislation would make it more difficult for people, especially people of color, to vote. Some have also said the measures come in response to the Democrats’ victories in the state in November’s presidential election and the Senate’s run-off races in January.