Following the decision by Major League Baseball (MLB) on Friday to move the All-Star Game out of Atlanta in the wake of Georgia's new voting law, activist and politician Stacey Abrams released a statement praising the move—even if she was "disappointed" that the game will no longer be played in the Peach State.
Abrams tweeted her statement on Friday afternoon, noting that Republican lawmakers knew "economic risks" in passing Senate Bill 202 would include.
"They prioritized making it harder for people of color to vote over the economic well-being of all Georgians," she said.
My full statement on @MLB All-Star Game: #gapol pic.twitter.com/mq4DauVQ8B
— Stacey Abrams (@staceyabrams) April 2, 2021
Despite the league's decision to relocate the July 13 game from Atlanta, Abrams still praised the MLB's leadership for using its platform to speak out against the law.
"I am disappointed that the MLB is relocating the All-Star game; however I commend the players, owners and League commissioner for speaking out. I urge others in positions of leadership to do so as well. As I have stated, I respect boycotts, although I don't want to see Georgia families hurt by lost events and jobs. Georgians targeted by voter suppression will be hurt as opportunities go to other states. We should not abandon the victims of GOP malice and lies — we must stand together," she said.
The statement continued with Abrams calling on Republicans to renounce the new laws as well as calling on local companies to speak out against them. She also called on leaders to support both the For The People Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act.
Disappointed @MLB will move the All-Star Game, but proud of their stance on voting rights. GA GOP traded economic opportunity for suppression. On behalf of PoC targeted by #SB202 to lose votes + now wages, I urge events & productions to come & speak out or stay & fight. #gapol
— Stacey Abrams (@staceyabrams) April 2, 2021
She also directed people to her Fair Fight Action's StopJimCrow2 website, which provides information on "How you or your business can support democracy in America."
Newsweek reached out to Abrams' organizations Fair Fight Action, FairCount and the Souther Economic Advancement Project for comment.
On Friday afternoon, MLB Commissioner Robert Manfred announced that the game would move. He said that the league came to the decision, following a week of discussions with the clubs, players (both former and current), the Player's Association and the Player's Alliance.
"Major League Baseball fundamentally supports voting rights for all Americans and opposes restrictions to the ballot box," he said.
Some negative responses to the game being moved included people criticizing the economic impact that it will have on the state. In a statement, the Atlanta Braves called "businesses, employees and fans" the "victims of this decision."
Following MLB's announcement that the event would be moved, former President Donald Trump released a statement calling for a boycott.
"Boycott baseball and all of the woke companies that are interfering with Free and Fair Elections," he said, before shifting attention to other Georgia-based companies like Coca-Cola and Delta Airlines, hinting at other boycotts if the companies speak out against the law.
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