Stacey Abrams Asks Hollywood to Not Boycott Georgia Over Gubernatorial Election

In light of a controversial victory by Brian Kemp in the Georgia governor race, Democratic nominee Stacey Abrams asks that Hollywood doesn't boycott the state.

This is a picture of Stacey Abrams.
Getty

Jessica McGowan/Getty Images

This is a picture of Stacey Abrams.

Stacey Abrams, the Democratic nominee in this year's race for governor of Georgia, asked that Hollywood not follow through on their threats to boycott the state over what turned out to be a controversial victory by her opponent, Republican Brian Kemp. 

I appreciate the calls to action, but I ask all of our entertainment industry friends to support #FairFightGA - but please do not #boycottgeorgia. The hard-working Georgians who serve on crews & make a living here are not to blame. I promise: We will fight - and we will win.

— Stacey Abrams (@staceyabrams) November 18, 2018

Abrams' plea to Hollywood comes after some actors in Hollywood called for their peers in the industry to no longer bolster the state's economy by pulling production. 

There are over 20 productions shooting in Georgia.

Is the entertainment industry willing to support the economy of a totally corrupt state that suppresses democracy; where the winner isn’t the best choice for the people but the best schemer or crook?

— Alyssa Milano (@Alyssa_Milano) November 17, 2018

Brian Kemp is a corrupt, homophobic, unapologetic disenfranchiser of African American voters. If he seizes power, Hollywood needs to use it’s leverage and pull out of Georgia. Studios need to put their money where their mouth is and stand up to hate. #boycottgeorgia

— Bradley Whitford (@BradleyWhitford) November 8, 2018

While many accusations are getting thrown in Kemp's direction, voter suppression in Georgia is the most alarming concern that has arisen as a result of this gubernatorial race. In 2018, the state passed the "exact match" law, which requires that the name on a citizen's government-issued ID must exactly match the name as it is listed on either the state's Department of Driver Services database or in the Social Security Administration information. This law has resulted in 53,000 voter registrations held up, 70 percent of which belong to African-Americans.   

Since the difference between Kemp and Abrams was less than 55,000 votes, these held up voter registrations could have made a huge difference in deciding who would have been the next governor of Georgia. Every vote counts, and in this case, it could not be truer. 

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