ATLANTA (May 10, 2021) | In response to the signage of House Bill 479, the Georgia Legislative Black Caucus (GLBC) Chairwoman Senator Tonya P. Anderson (D – Lithonia) issued the following statement:
“The Georgia Legislative Black Caucus thanks the Governor for his leadership on this issue to ensure this antiquated law is finally and permanently repealed.
I want to thank members of both chambers for pushing forward bipartisan legislation to end this practice of legalized vigilantism. I especially want to acknowledge Rep. Carl Gilliard (D – Savannah) and other GLBC members who for the past two years have been championing this cause. We cannot, as a state accept public policy that is unjust and antithetical to our values.
We are all proud Georgians, and we all deserve to live in this great state without fear of violence simply because of our skin color, country of origin, gender, religion, identity, or who we choose to love.
Last year, upon the passing of hate crimes legislation, the Caucus made a pledge to end the practice of citizen’s arrest. Today, with the signing of his name, Governor Kemp has helped us keep that pledge. We are now the first state to repeal citizen’s arrest and I hope not the last.
I ask the governor and my fellow legislators to continue pursuing the goal of criminal justice reform. There is more work to do and we are prepared to do it, together as one Georgia.”
Established in 1975, the GLBC is a 501(c)3 non-profit, nonpartisan organization comprising of 65 Georgia House and Senate members.
For more information about the GLBC, please visit www.gablackcaucus.org or write to media@gablackcaucus.org.
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For Immediate Release:
May 10, 2021
Kami Briden, Sr. Communications Associate
404.656.0028