Georgia Equality’s staff stayed busy traveling our state in March, with trips to Middle Georgia and Blue Ridge among others. Check out the pictures and summaries below for all the work we’re doing around the state. Georgia Equality continues to place an emphasis on reaching all corners of our state, so stay tuned for when we’re in a community near you!
Athens:
WUGA FM — Athens News Matters Interview
GE’s Rob Woods participated in a recorded panel interview on WUGA FM Athens News Matters radio program on March. ANM Host Alexia Ridley interviewed Athens 4 Everyone Board President Tim Denson and Rob regarding the need for civil rights protections in Georgia, and civil rights legislation introduced in the recent legislative session.
Ga Families Justice Project:
Georgia Equality will co-host the Georgia Families Justice Community Forum at 6:30pm on Monday, May 8th at the Athens – Clark County Library (2025 Baxter St, Athens, GA 30606). The forum will focus on how changing social and political landscapes require re-defining the family. GE will be joined by 9 to 5, Feminist Women Center, Athens 4 Everyone, and the University Of Georgia School Of Social Work. For more information contact Rob Woods (email hidden; JavaScript is required).
Macon:
Mercer University School of Law – The Case for Comprehensive Civil Rights Forum:
On March 9th Georgia Equality joined ACLU Georgia and Mercer University Law Schools’ Black Law Student Association, International Law Student Association and Project Equality in co-hosting a forum on comprehensive civil rights. This forum was part of a continuing series of conversations on Georgia’s lack of state civil rights protections. Facilitators included Mercer Law School Deans Anthony Baldwin & Scott Titshaw and Macon Attorney Veronica Brinson, ACLU Georgia’s Fallon Traylor and GE’s Rob Woods.
Unity March on Macon & Rally:
Over 200 Maconites participated in the Unity March on Macon & Rally on March 11th. The march began at Coleman Hill and ended at Rosa Parks Square. Participants’ goal was to bring the community together no matter their beliefs, and let the community know that Georgia does not have comprehensive anti-discrimination laws.
The event followed Macon Bibb County Commissioners Elaine Lucas and Larry Schlesinger co-sponsoring a resolution supporting the March earlier that week. The idea was to send a strong statement about Macon’s commitment to diversity, inclusion and protecting the civil rights of all its residents. The resolution passed with the tie breaking vote of Mayor Robert Reichert.
The rally featured speakers supporting SB 119 and HB 488; both would ban employment, housing and public accommodation discrimination. Speakers included Macon Bibb County Commissioners Schlesinger and Al Tilman, State Rep Miriam Parris, Wesleyan College’s Tonya Parker and Professor Karen Bray, ACLU Georgia’s Fallon Traylor, and GE’s Rob Woods
Participants were also encouraged to sign the pledge to end discrimination in Georgia by texting the word “equality” to 864237.
