That’s week one of the state’s legislative session done and over with, folks. This was our “welcome back” week, during which the ACLU of Georgia’s Policy and Advocacy team spent time catching up with lawmakers returning to the capitol.
On the first day of session, we gathered with members and friends for Constitution Day at the Capitol. Attorneys and support staff helped get the group more involved in the legislative process. Attendees were introduced to a handful of Georgia House reps and distributed pocket constitutions to legislators as they entered their chambers for the first time in 2024.
Gov. Brian Kemp delivered his State of the State on Thursday. As the Associated Press reported, the governor used his speech to draw contrasts between political parties. We’re focusing our efforts on criminal legal system reforms, LGBTQ+ and voting rights, laws related to privacy and surveillance, and more. We will advocate for the governor and lawmakers to prioritize protecting and advancing the rights of all Georgians rather than partisanship.
From now through March 28, when the session ends, we are looking to support bills that respect the civil rights and civil liberties of all Georgians, and work to block those that don’t.“We expect to see many bills on both ends of the spectrum, and hope you'll stay tuned and make your voices heard as bills make their way through the process,” said ACLU of Georgia Policy Counsel Ben Lynde.
Next week begins with the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, followed by budget week, with official legislative days resuming Jan. 22. On Monday, we’ll be taking part in Atlanta’s MLK March to honor his legacy and stand up for racial justice and civil rights. We hope to see you there!