We Will Not Be Silent: Governor Deal, Veto HB 87!

By Lisa Adler, Field Organizer for Amnesty International USA

Yesterday, March 3rd, the Georgia House voted 116-56 to pass HB 87, the anti-immigrant Arizona copycat law. The vote was down party lines, with only one Republican casting a “no” vote.  The debate on the bill lasted 3 hours, with Democratic Caucus members passionately testifying against the bill.  One Representative compared the bill with “slavery times”, when African Americans were forced to carry papers with them declaring who they “belonged to.”

Outside, over 200 people rallied for two hours.  The rally was organized by the Georgia Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition, with Amnesty-SRO playing a lead organizing role.  Southern Regional Office director, Everette Harvey-Thomas spoke as did numerous allies.  Protestors held signs that declared HB 87 would return Georgia to a “show me your papers” state, and would be detrimental to the state’s economy by driving immigrant workers out.  As the speakers concluded, we entered the capitol with a large letter that the demonstrators signed during the rally.  The message was clear:  “Governor Deal, Commit to Veto.”

The struggle to stop HB 87 is not over!  First, the Senate has to consider the bill but then, most important, Governor Nathan Deal will decide whether to sign it or veto.  As the signs clearly read yesterday, we are calling on Governor Deal to commit NOW to veto the bill should it reach his desk.  It is critical he feel the pressure now, from Georgians but also from people and institutions all over the country.  Please call him at 404-656-1776. Urge him to veto the bill should it arrive at his desk.  Tell him that Georgia cannot afford this bill—neither economically nor morally.

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16 thoughts on “We Will Not Be Silent: Governor Deal, Veto HB 87!

  1. I am a Georgia resident of 20+ years, and I support the laws protecting Georgia from illegal aliens. I have called my rep and told him that I fully support the bill. Georgia can NOT afford all of these illegals economically or morally. NO AMNESTY FOR ILLEGALS!!!

  2. I am a Georgia resident of 20+ years, and I support the laws protecting Georgia from illegal aliens. I have called my rep and told him that I fully support the bill. Georgia can NOT afford all of these illegals economically or morally. NO AMNESTY FOR ILLEGALS!!!

  3. I, too, fully support the bill and urge our state politicians to vote FOR this it, and I urge Gov. Deal to sign the bill into law as soon as the State Senate passes it. Unfortunately, we can no longer afford to be so generous to individuals that are not residents or citizens. If we don't tighten our belts (figurative speech), we may find that we will soon be unable to even help ourselves. We have to face this economic reality.

  4. I, too, fully support the bill and urge our state politicians to vote FOR this it, and I urge Gov. Deal to sign the bill into law as soon as the State Senate passes it. Unfortunately, we can no longer afford to be so generous to individuals that are not residents or citizens. If we don’t tighten our belts (figurative speech), we may find that we will soon be unable to even help ourselves. We have to face this economic reality.

  5. I cannot believe that in 2011 that this is even an issue. How could you possibly think that passing this bill could help the state of Georgia. People are so filled with hatred and racism that they cannot see the forest for the trees!! Can you possibly fathom the far reaching effects that a law like this would create? I feel like I am living in a Communist country not America!! Was America not built on immigrants? I hope governor Deal will have the sense not to pass this bill..

  6. Tamara, this isn't about racism. Illegal immigrants can be from ANY race, so please tell me how this is about racism? You have put this label on it. This bill is about putting jobs in the hands of legal citizens of these United States. This bill is also about sending illegal immigrants back to the country they came from so that we're not spending our tax money on assistance programs for people who don't belong here. I'm all for people coming to America, when they do it legally! I'm all for using my tax dollars to help fellow citizens in need, because I know that there are hard-working people who have paid their taxes and contributed to society for decades and are now falling on harder times. I'm not okay with my tax dollars being used to help illegal immigrants who send their money to families back in their home country (which doesn't help our economy) and use federal assistance without paying taxes.

  7. I cannot believe that in 2011 that this is even an issue. How could you possibly think that passing this bill could help the state of Georgia. People are so filled with hatred and racism that they cannot see the forest for the trees!! Can you possibly fathom the far reaching effects that a law like this would create? I feel like I am living in a Communist country not America!! Was America not built on immigrants? I hope governor Deal will have the sense not to pass this bill..

  8. Tamara, this isn’t about racism. Illegal immigrants can be from ANY race, so please tell me how this is about racism? You have put this label on it. This bill is about putting jobs in the hands of legal citizens of these United States. This bill is also about sending illegal immigrants back to the country they came from so that we’re not spending our tax money on assistance programs for people who don’t belong here. I’m all for people coming to America, when they do it legally! I’m all for using my tax dollars to help fellow citizens in need, because I know that there are hard-working people who have paid their taxes and contributed to society for decades and are now falling on harder times. I’m not okay with my tax dollars being used to help illegal immigrants who send their money to families back in their home country (which doesn’t help our economy) and use federal assistance without paying taxes.

  9. this bill separates families and leaves hard working people out of jobs!! Lets be real people this is no longer a free country nor is it a prosperous one at that! I am a mexican american and i know the two sides of all this ordeal. Even i as an american am affected with this law that is totally wrong and denies people better lives! If it were that easy for immigrants to become legal im sure our government would prosper and stop being so close minded but what can we expect from ignorant human beings nowadays.may god pardon this unjustice going on..

  10. this bill separates families and leaves hard working people out of jobs!! Lets be real people this is no longer a free country nor is it a prosperous one at that! I am a mexican american and i know the two sides of all this ordeal. Even i as an american am affected with this law that is totally wrong and denies people better lives! If it were that easy for immigrants to become legal im sure our government would prosper and stop being so close minded but what can we expect from ignorant human beings nowadays.may god pardon this unjustice going on..

  11. I am mexican American and all you who said to pass this bill you all are just full of hatred. This is not making Georgia any better! This bill will make Georgia's economy low. Dont you all understand? Stop with all this racism.

  12. Obviously none of the ppl who sighed for it took minute to think "if I got separated from my love ones just because of this government who don't take minute to say my greats were illegal also I am not fully amarican so what gives me the right to say I am rite and they are wrong when I could have been like them when my greats came over" this type of government is not a democracy whatsoever it is a communist >:(

  13. I am mexican American and all you who said to pass this bill you all are just full of hatred. This is not making Georgia any better! This bill will make Georgia’s economy low. Dont you all understand? Stop with all this racism.

  14. Obviously none of the ppl who sighed for it took minute to think “if I got separated from my love ones just because of this government who don’t take minute to say my greats were illegal also I am not fully amarican so what gives me the right to say I am rite and they are wrong when I could have been like them when my greats came over” this type of government is not a democracy whatsoever it is a communist >:(