"Children of civil rights icons object to new Georgia voting law," 3 April 2021

Georgia has a long, documented history of restricting access to the polls, especially for Black and brown voters. Too many of our lawmakers failed to take a stand, and corporations did not go far enough to ensure every citizen had fair and equitable access to the right to vote and have a voice in our shared future. The failure of corporate leaders to live up to their racial equity commitments made in the last year disregards and disrespects our fathers’ tireless work, jeopardizes the soul of Georgia, and the promise of America.

... [W]hen the first test came to move from words to action, to stand on behalf of disenfranchised voters, there was shocking silence. Historically, companies’ growth and prosperity in Georgia required integration of democracy and free enterprise. Citigroup reported that the U.S. economy lost $16 trillion because of racism and discrimination since 2000. In short, racism is bad for business.

Expanded voting options resulted in more voter participation than in any election in American history. We proved that when access is increased, more people cast ballots... The [new] law results in expanding access for Republican-dominated counties and restricting voter access in Democratic strongholds with large Black populations... Perhaps the most insidious provision in the voter suppression law grants the Republican-controlled legislature the authority to control our state and local elections boards; and removes power from the Secretary of State... The measure presents the possibility for the GOP to overturn election results that do not meet their desired outcome.

... We are encouraged by companies like Delta Air Lines, Coca-Cola, the Atlanta Dream, Atlanta Falcons, and Atlanta Hawks, and the rapid rise of other corporations that are breaking silence. We expect major corporations and chambers of commerce to fulfill the promise of racial equity by divesting future support of elected officials seeking to disenfranchise American voters; and by leveraging their considerable lobbying influence to stop voter suppression laws in other states and ensure the passage of the federal voting rights legislation.