There are four states that do not have a Hate Crimes Bill: Arkansas, Georgia, South Carolina and Wyoming. Georgia is currently in the fight of its life. Black boys and men are being killed at an alarming rate. In Georgia, two examples are the execution of Ahmaud Arbery and Rayshard Brooks. Ahmaud Arbery was hunted down and executed by Gregory and Travis McMichael, while being filmed by William Bryan. Rayshard Brooks was shot twice in the back and then kicked as he lied dying, by Officer Garrett Rolfe.
As the bill was written, it aimed at protecting Black Georgians from hate crimes. In a last minute move, Senator Bill Cowsert, R-Athens, amended the bill to include first responders. Adding this protection puts an occupation that one chooses, on the same level as a citizen who did not choose to put their lives at risk.. First responders already have protections.
This bill is not the bill we want passed. Please oppose HB426 that contains the first responder protection.
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