A group of state legislators from the Republican Party in Georgia are looking to remove Coca-Cola products from their offices after the company’s CEO criticized the recently passed voting law by the state.
Legislators signed in a letter, dated Saturday and addressed to Kevin Perry, who serves as president and CEO of the Georgia Beverage Association, criticizing the company for giving in to what they call a “cancellation culture”.
Signatories included eight state representatives from the Republican Party: Victor Anderson, Clint Crowe, Matt Barton, Jason Ridley, Lauren McDonald III, Stan Gunter, Dewayne Hill and Marcus Wiedower.
The letter strikes the company, accusing it of deciding “to perpetuate a national dialogue”, they said “aims to intentionally deceive the citizens of Georgia and deepen the division in our great state”.
Some Republican state legislators in Georgia are removing @Coke products from its state offices after the Atlanta-based beverage giant criticized the new electoral law. #gapol pic.twitter.com/leojXBGQAM
– Greg Bluestein (@bluestein) April 3, 2021
This comes days after Coca-Cola CEO James Quincey decreed that electoral legislation was made law by the governor of Georgia. Brian Kemp
Brian KempTrump calls on Republicans to boycott companies amid controversy over the voting law. Georgia County says removing the All-Star game will cost tourism. 0M Kemp: Voting law ‘worth boycotts as well as lawsuits’ MORE (R) “unacceptable” and “step back.”
“Let me be absolutely clear and unambiguous, this legislation is unacceptable, it is a step backwards and it does not promote the principles that we defend in Georgia, around the broad access to the vote, the voter’s convenience, on how to guarantee the electoral integrity, and that it’s frankly, just a step back, ”Quincey said.
Among the changes in the electoral process included in the law are provisions that create a voter identification requirement for absent votes and limit the use of ballot boxes.
The law also includes text that extends the weekend’s early vote in the state, although another change in the bill backs the deadline for requesting absent votes. A provision that provoked a reaction from critics also forbids volunteers from distributing drinks or food to people waiting in line to vote.
In their letter to Perry on Saturday, lawmakers wrote that they have “a responsibility to all of Georgia not to get involved in these wrong intentions or to continue to support the corporations they choose”.
They also praised parts of the law that said it would expand “early voting opportunities, provides a way to ensure shorter voting lines, ensures the use of otherwise illegal hanging boxes, as well as several other provisions that allow for all Georgians greater access to fast, secure and transparent elections. ”
“Given Coca’s choice to yield to the pressure of an out-of-control cancellation culture, we respectfully request that all Coca-Cola Company products be removed from our office suite immediately,” they continued. “If Coca chooses to read the bill, share its true intentions and accept its role in spreading untruths, we would like a conversation to rebuild a working relationship.”
Republicans claimed that legislation – in Georgia and other states – is necessary to increase electoral security and public confidence in Georgia’s elections. President Trump
Donald TrumpLawmakers say fixing the border crisis is Biden’s job Trump asks Republicans to boycott companies amid controversy over voting law Georgia County says removing the All-Star game will cost tourism 0M MORE and other prominent Republican Party figures have spread unproven allegations of widespread electoral fraud in the presidential race after their defeat to President biden
Joe BidenLawmakers say fixing the border crisis is Biden’s job Trump asks Republicans to boycott companies amid the controversial White House electoral law: The Republican Party ‘fought to articulate a reason’ to oppose the infrastructure plan MORE.
Democrats and supporters of the right to vote argued that the legislation would make it more difficult for people, especially those of color, to vote. Some also said the measures come in response to Democratic victories in the state in the November presidential election and in the runoff run for the Senate in January.