MLB decides to pull the plug on the all-star game in response to new Georgia voting laws.
What We Know:
- The 2021 MLB All-Star game was supposed to take place in Atlanta, Georgia, this year. The MLB Commissioner, Rob Manfred, has decided to put an end to the event due to the new legislation passed by Georgia governor Brian Kemp. Manfred’s decision is gaining mixed criticism from several political, sports, and business figures.
- SB 202 was passed by Kemp, and the new legislation will impose new voting laws in Georgia. The new legislation will now make it a misdemeanor to offer food and water to voters waiting in line to voters at polling stations, limit the use of drop boxes, and shorten the runoff election to four weeks instead of nine weeks.
- The criticism of the MLB decision is coming from several figures across the political spectrum. Brian kemp stated that the League succumbed to fear and Liberal lies.
Today, @MLB caved to fear, political opportunism, and liberal lies.
— Governor Brian P. Kemp (@GovKemp) April 2, 2021
- The MLB is one of the first organizations to make such a stance to combat the new legislation passed by Kemp and other laws being passed in other states that would make it harder for certain demographics to access voting. In Texas, a similar law was passed that would further restrict voting. Some companies in Texas, such as American Airlines and Dell, are some of the first to take a stance in the Lone Star State.
- President Joe Biden has compared this new legislation in Georgia to Jim crow laws of the ’60s. In an interview with ESPN, Biden said that these new laws republicans are passing across the county are “Jim crow on steroids.”
Organizations such as the Black Professional baseball players alliance seem to be on board with supporting the MLB commissioner’s move to advocate for change with Georgia’s new voting legislation.
