Diversity Marks Georgia Free Speech Protest
April 3, 2012
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Labor led a large and unusually diverse coalition of free-speech advocates recently to stop Georgia SB 469, which would have banned non-violent protests, eliminated union-dues check-off and restricted picketing in labor disputes. Machinists from across Georgia joined in the fight to stop the law, which singled out labor organizations exclusively. The bill seemed destined for passage, but Georgia lawmakers were surprised at the broad resistance to the bill.
“This bill was blatantly unconstitutional and had the fingerprints of the right-wing American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) and the Chamber of Commerce all over it,” said Southern Territory GVP Bob Martinez. “We built coalitions and used social media to overwhelm this bill and we proved the power of people standing together and speaking out. Our fight doesn’t end, and we should never be counted out.”
