After Donald Trump ranted and raved for two months that the presidential election he lost by the largest margin in history was stolen from him by Democrats, vote tabulating machine companies, Republicans in red states that went blue, election officials, and everyone else he could think of, far too few chose to speak up and denounce his lies. Georgia’s new voter suppression laws, each based on the lies Trump told that led to an insurrection against the Capitol Building on January 6, some are speaking up.
NEW — Coca-Cola CEO James Quincey says the new Georgia voting law is "unacceptable,” adding "this legislation is wrong, and needs to be remedied, and we will continue to advocate for it both in private and in now even more clearly in public" pic.twitter.com/SWNLGswJhS
— j.d. durkin (@jiveDurkey) March 31, 2021
Of course, the quick willingness to speak out now comes only after those laws were passed and consumer activism convinced them that silence was not an option. A boycott of Coca-Cola products inspired Coca-Cola CEO James Quincey to give an interview saying that Georgia’s laws are “unacceptable” and that the company will not stand behind them. Other companies, as well as Hollywood actors who work in Georgia while filming, have threatened to take their businesses elsewhere.
Coca-Cola’s decision to speak out, however, may be a bit too little, too late for many of their former customers. Groups like The Action Network: have encouraged boycotts, unifying those opposed to Georgia’s attempts to suppress votes.
‘In the wake of the horrendous voter suppression legislation signed into law by Georgia Governor Brian Kemp, activists in Georgia have called for a boycott of the Coca-Cola company, which is headquartered in the state. Suburban women have amazing purchasing power, let’s make it clear we only support businesses that support democracy!!
‘It is time to vote with our pocketbooks. We are refusing to purchase Coke products until they condemn this law, demand immediate passage of federal legislation (For the People Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act) to correct it, and divest in politicians who support voter suppression. #NoVotesNoCokes’
Many on Twitter were unimpressed with these new statements. Read some of their comments below:
