Scroll to the bottom of this story for photos from the event!
Happy New Year, Georgia! A new year means another legislative session to kick things off. We gathered with members and friends on the first day of Georgia’s session for Constitution Day at the Capitol.
Our attorneys and support staff were eager to get the group more informed about and involved in the legislative process, as well as pass the mic to several state lawmakers who shared a glimpse into the inner workings of the state Senate and House. Reps. Imani Barnes, Kim Schofield, Teddy Reese, and Shelly Hutchinson all stopped by.
ACLU of Georgia Executive Director Andrea Young welcomed our attendees and encouraged increased civic engagement to counter legislation harmful to Georgians’ civil rights and civil liberties. “Repeatedly, we have seen attacks on our civil liberties. So we come down; we are here year after year after trying to protect those civil liberties and keep (lawmakers) from further encroaching on those rights,” Young said.
Our Policy and Advocacy team provided details about big issues we’re watching this session, including bills related to criminal legal reform, First Amendment and voting rights. The process can be lengthy, so ACLU of Georgia Policy Counsel Ben Lynde explained the steps and our commitment to advocate in the months ahead. Our supporters helped fuel that advocacy as part of Constitution Day by distributing pocket constitutions to legislators as they entered their chambers for the first time in 2024.
A huge thanks to everyone who made it out. Follow us on Facebook, Threads, Instagram and Twitter for more legislative updates and opportunities to get involved.
