GEORGIA’S AME SIXTH DISTRICT RELEASES LETTER FROM
BISHOP REGINALD JACKSON TO GEORGIA PARISHIONERS
REGARDING STATE’S NEW RACIST ANTI-VOTING LAW

[Atlanta, Georgia – March 30, 2021] – As first reported by the Associated Press, Georgia’s AME Church released a letter today from Bishop Reginald Jackson to each of its over 90,000 parishioners in 534 churches across the State of Georgia.  After Governor Brian Kemp signed SB 202 into law, the Georgia AME Church was the first institution to demand a boycott of The Coca-Cola Company for its silence on the issue.   The following is a statement from Bishop along with a copy of the letter that was sent out today:

“Last Thursday, the majority of Georgians and Americans were disgusted by the site of Governor Brian Kemp signing unjust legislation into law that would make it much harder for African-Americans to vote in our State.  As we all now know, Governor Kemp chose to sign this legislation without debate, ignored multiple invitations to speak to African American community leaders, and even dared to publicly sign the legislation using a painting as the backdrop that showcased a Georgia plantation that enslaved more than 100 Black people.

“Governor Kemp and the other racists behind this legislation think we are still living in a different time.  They don’t get it.  They are out of touch.  They do not understand that Georgia and our country have changed.  And most of all, now, they are on record as being on the wrong side of history.

“As I stated in my letter today to our over 90,000 parishioners, our fight for justice and freedom in the State of Georgia continues.   And this letter will hopefully put the whole State on notice that there is no middle group here.  Silence, inaction, or blind support for this illegal state law equals complicity.

“Governor Kemp’s law is unprecedented, unjust, and morally bankrupt.  The AME Church stands united in organizing and empowering the State so we never forget the short legacy of Kemp and his Trump cronies.  Let us be clear, in November, Georgia made Donald Trump the loser of the 2020 election.  In January, Georgia flipped two senate seats.  This happened because the AME Church and the majority of Georgians no longer stand for suppression and lawlessness.  Those days are long over in Georgia, and we urge all local elected officials, community leaders, and the private sector to speak out now.”

AME LETTER –

March 29, 2021

Dear Sixth Episcopal District:

It is my prayer that each of you are well and that you have a blessed and fulfilling Holy Week.

I am writing today in regard to Georgia Bill SB 202 which was passed by the Georgia Legislature and signed by Gov. Brian Kemp on March 25th.

SB 202 targets Black and Brown people and will now make it much harder for each of us to vote.
The new law disintegrates the electoral procedure and process that was once developed together, by both Democrats and Republicans. It changes a host of laws that will affect early voting, ballot drop boxes, and absentee voting and it facilitates the ability for Republicans to overturn the will of the people and can change the outcome of an election.  More simply put, this new law not only seeks to suppress the votes of Black and Brown people, but it is also racist and seeks to return us to the days of Jim Crow.

Each of us knows deep in our hearts the truth of what is going on because we know our history. White extremists have once again looked to target and marginalize our community. This time, it is for only one reason – Donald Trump lost the 2020 election and did not receive the majority of votes in our state.
This new law was based on a lie fabricated by Donald Trump that the only way he could lose was if the election was rigged. Since Republicans were unable to win the election on fair grounds, they are once again looking to change the laws to suit their own purpose, regardless of the facts, the law, or even the moral implications.

What is even more disturbing is that some in the corporate community in Georgia and around the nation have remained silent or even embraced. For example, The Coca-Cola Company has watched silently and done nothing to fight as this bill moved forward to become law. And recently, Delta Airlines wrote an “in house” memo in which they actually praised the law.  Silence, inaction, or blind support represents complicity. They are like Paul in the Book of Acts, “I stood there, standing by and consenting.” (Acts 22:20)

This mindset is totally unacceptable. Faith leaders will seek a virtual meeting this week with corporate leaders across the country, as the legislation passed in Georgia is being pushed in more than 40 states. In this meeting, we will explain the consequences of this legislation, why it negatively affects Black and Brown voters, and why corporate leaders should oppose it. If we cannot persuade them or if they refuse to oppose this legislation then we will organize and implement a boycott of their companies. It makes no sense for us to pay our dollars to buy their products and add to their corporate coffers when they refuse to stand with us and support our right to vote without measures to make it more difficult to exercise that right. We do not want to boycott any of these companies, but neither do we or will we “stand by and consent” to racist legislation which seeks to make it more difficult and suppress the right of our people to vote.

What brings us all together is not only our love of God, but the responsibility each of us holds to promote God’s kingdom on earth, to build a fairer and more just world. We have been a powerful community in Georgia regarding equity and access to voting and today I am writing each of our congregants personally to clearly communicate that the fight for equal rights continues. It is our collective mission to peacefully and vigorously fight this new law.

As voters, not to a political party, but to ourselves, our families, our communities, and our values, I know each of you have been watching recent events very closely. Today, I ask each of our congregants, families, and communities to support us if we have to boycott these companies. It will cause inconvenience and sacrifice, but our democracy and rights are on the line. We cannot allow a lie to be rewarded and turn back time to Jim Crow. Again, The Sixth Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church is called to lead and be the conscience of the nation. I am sure we are ready to meet this hour.

Let us remain faithful and hopeful and renew in our minds and on our lips the words of the theme song of the Civil Rights Movement, “We shall overcome. Deep in my heart, I do believe, we shall overcome someday.”

Yours and His,

Reginald T. Jackson
Bishop