Breaking News: Statement from Bishop Reginald Jackson on Georgia Senate Bill 202

TCR Breaking News: Statement from Bishop Reginald Jackson on Georgia Senate Bill 202 March 26, 2021 Yesterday the Georgia State Legislature passed, and Governor Brian Kemp signed SB 202 which bring drastic changes to Georgia's voting laws. This law not only seeks to suppress the votes of Black and Brown people, but it is also racist and returns us to the days of Jim Crow. This bill like the more than 250 other bills proposed in more than 40 states is based on a lie, that the 2020 election was stolen, and that there was fraud. It does not matter that there has been no evidence of fraud and court challenges were thrown out as meritless or lacking proof. This bill places the future of our democracy at risk. The bill will do the following 1. Require absentee ballots to be verified by a driver's license or other documentation instead of voter signatures. This will make it much harder for more than 200,000 people to vote, many seniors who do not have a driver's license. 2. It changes rules regarding the use of ballot boxes. They will no longer be located outside where voters can deposit their ballots any time, especially after work. Now they will be located inside with doors locked when the business closes. 3. It will reduce the hours for weekend voting in urban areas of the state, where most Blacks and people of color live. 4, It will make it unlawful to provide water or snacks to people waiting in line to vote. This affects primarily those who live in the urban areas of the state, again Blacks and people of color. 5. Establishes a deadline of 11 days before the election to request an absentee ballot. 6. Would allow the State Election Board to remove County Election Boards and replace them with an interim manager from anywhere in Georgia. This is extremely dangerous. If this was in place in last year's election they could have easily changed the election results and declared that Trump won Georgia. This law will definitely be challenged in court. The South District will be one of the plaintiffs in the court cases. I am sure this matter will end up before the Supreme Court. It will give the Supreme Court a chance to clean up the mess they created by gutting the 1965 Voting Rights Act. This weekend I am meeting with major civil rights organizations to discuss a boycott of several major corporations. You will receive the information next week Also, I will be on the following news show this weekend: Don Lemon:  Friday at 10 pm EDT on CNN American Voices with Alicia Menedet: Saturday at 6:00 pm EDT on MSNBC Joy Reid: Monday at 7:00 pm EDT on MSNBC I ask that you include me and other faith leaders in your prayers, that God will use us and lead us through these difficult times. Bishop Reginald Jackson Presiding Prelate, 6th Episcopal District

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