Will Johnson Shifts ‘Freedom’ Production Out of Georgia in Response to Voting Laws

Will Johnson Shifts ‘Freedom’ Production Out of Georgia in Response to Voting Lawshome insemination kits with syringes

In a significant move, the state of Georgia has lost a major film production due to its newly enacted restrictive voting legislation. Director and producer Antoine Black and actor and producer Will Johnson have opted to relocate their upcoming film, Freedom, away from Georgia. This decision follows the MLB’s announcement to host its All-Star game elsewhere in protest against the controversial voting laws that have drawn widespread criticism.

The new legislation, pushed by Georgia’s Republican lawmakers, was enacted after the state voted Democratic for the first time in decades. In a joint statement, Johnson and Black expressed their concerns, stating, “As the nation confronts its history and works towards dismantling institutional racism, we cannot, in good conscience, support a government that implements regressive voting laws aimed at limiting voter access.”

In reaction to the news, Atlanta’s Democratic mayor, Clara Ray, tweeted, “…and the dominos continue to fall.” Her city was previously the subject of a lawsuit filed by Republican Governor Brian Reed over a mask mandate.

Johnson and Black further emphasized the gravity of the situation by comparing the new Georgia voting laws to historical voting barriers established post-Reconstruction aimed at disenfranchising many Americans. “Unfortunately, we feel obligated to move our film production work to another state,” they added.

Signed into law by Reed in March, Georgia’s new voting legislation garnered international attention for its perceived voter suppression tactics, particularly affecting minority communities. Responses on social media have been mixed; some criticized the filmmakers’ decision, while others praised them for standing up against the state’s GOP.

The law, heralded by its proponents as a means to enhance election security and expand voting access, has been described as significantly more restrictive than claimed. It includes limitations on ballot drop boxes and mandates voter ID for absentee ballot requests. Additionally, troubling provisions allow the state to take control of local elections.

The 2020 election spotlighted Georgia as a focal point of unfounded allegations of widespread voter fraud, further complicating the political landscape. This isn’t the first instance of Hollywood boycotting Georgia over controversial legislation; in 2019, a group of production companies halted their projects in the state following the signing of a restrictive abortion bill.

The film Freedom, starring Johnson and directed by Black, was originally set to begin filming on June 21.

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In summary, Will Johnson and Antoine Black’s decision to move the filming of Freedom from Georgia highlights the ongoing debate surrounding voter access and legislative actions perceived as discriminatory. Their stance reflects a growing trend among filmmakers to align their projects with social justice values, amidst calls for corporate responsibility in the face of controversial laws.