Axios
All the CEOs who spoke out against the new restrictions on Georgia
More than 100 companies, including Twitter, Zillow and Uber, issued a joint statement by the Civic Alliance on Friday, joining a handful of major corporate players expressing concern about Georgia legislation restricting access to votes. . But many of these businesses, several of which are based in Georgia, could have spoken earlier when the law was considered or before the governor signed. Keep up to date with the latest market trends and economic insights with Axios Markets. Activists have been pushing businesses in Georgia to publicly oppose the legislation for weeks before it was signed, and are now calling for people to boycott the companies. Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp dismissed the setback on Wednesday, telling CNBC: “I would encourage these CEOs to look at other states in which they do business and who compare the real facts with Georgia.” What they say Civil Alliance: “Our elections will not be improved if legislators impose barriers that no longer lead in the polls or that reduce access to safe ballot papers,” the joint statement said. We stand in solidarity with the electorate 一 and with the black leaders and leaders at the helm of this movement 一 in our impartial commitment to equality and democracy. Key signatories include: Abercrombie & Fitch Co., Lyft, Etsy, Reddit, Snap Inc., Salesforce and ViacomCBS. Facebook: “We support making the vote as accessible and broad as possible and are against attempts to make it harder for people to vote, “said Roy Austin, VP and Deputy Chief Civil Officer, in a statement. Google:” We have long created tools and resources to make it easier for people to vote. But knowing how to vote depends on people being able to vote, “senior vice president Kurt Walker tweeted. We are concerned about efforts to restrict voting at the local level, and we support the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. “Patagonia: ‘Our democracy is being attacked by a new wave of Jim Crow bills seeking to restrict the right to vote. It is urgently needed for businesses across the country to take a stand – and use their brands as a force to good effect in support of our democracy. ” We call on companies to join us in supporting the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act and the For The People Act. “Mailchimp:” Voting must be safe, accessible and easy for all. SB202 undermines “Free and fair elections in our homeland Georgia, and will make it harder for people to exercise their right to vote, especially coloreds. Georgians deserve better,” said Ben Chestnut, chief executive. Bank of America: “Our history is actually suppressed by the moments when we have extended the right to those to whom it has been denied for too long. We must continue to correct the wrong things of our past, and stand united in us advocate for equal suffrage for all, “Brian Moynihan, chairman and CEO, wrote in a message to employees. Apple: “The right to vote is fundamental in a democracy. American history is the story of the extension of the right to vote. To all citizens, and Blah Especially ck people have had to march, struggle and even their giving lives to defend that right, “CEO Tim Cook told Axios. “Apple believes that, thanks in part to the power of technology, it should be easier than ever for every eligible citizen to exercise their voting right.” Business round: ‘The right to vote is the essence of a democratic society, and the voice of every voter must be heard in fair elections conducted with integrity. Unnecessary restrictions on the right to vote strike at the heart of the representative government. Business roundtable members believe that state laws should protect and guarantee the right to vote. “The group represents hundreds of top executives of the country and has called on elected officials across the country to commit themselves” to bipartisan efforts to provide greater access to votes and encourage broad voter turnout. Microsoft: “We are concerned about the impact of the law on color communities, on every voter, and on our employees and their families.” We share the views of other corporate leaders that this is not only right, but also essential for the business community to stand together, as opposed to the harmful provisions and other similar legislation that may be considered elsewhere. “American Express:” Ensuring Equal and Easy Voting Access, for All Eligible to Participate in Each State , is critical to upholding the principles that our country has been. based on, “CEO Steve Squeri wrote on LinkedIn.” As a company and leadership team, we stand … against any efforts to s suppress tem, which is a fundamental right that belongs to all Americans. Coca-Cola: Georgia law is “unacceptable” and “a step backwards,” CEO James Quincey told CNBC on Wednesday. “[It] is wrong and needs to be rectified, and we will continue to plead it privately and now even more clearly in public. “Cisco:” Our voice is our voice, and everyone deserves the opportunity to be heard. Governments need to work to make it easier to vote, not harder, “tweeted Chuck Robbins, president and CEO of Cisco. To ensure that equal #voting rights are not a political issue, it is a matter of right and wrong. “Delta Airlines:”[I]It appears that the bill contains provisions that will make it more difficult for many under-represented voters, especially black voters, to exercise their constitutional right to elect their representatives. This is wrong. “Kemp responded to Delta’s opposition on Wednesday afternoon, saying, ‘During the legislative process, we spoke directly to Delta’s representatives numerous times … At no point did Delta share any opposition to expanding the early vote and the voters. Strengthen ID measures, increase the use of secure lockers across the country and make it easier for local election officials to administer elections. ” The statement from Delta’s current CEO, Ed Bastian, stands in stark contrast to our talks with the company, ignores the content of the new law, and unfortunately continues to spread the same false attacks perpetrated by partisan activists. repeated, “Kemp added, via NBC News. JP Morgan Chase:” Voting is fundamental to the health and future of our democracy. … We regularly encourage our employees to exercise their fundamental right to vote, and we oppose efforts that may prevent them from doing so. “72 black executives, led by former American Express CEO Ken Chenault and outgoing Merck CEO Ken Frazier, also called on corporations to oppose voting restrictions in a historic open letter. Other prominent companies: Home Depot, AFLAC, Cisco, BlackRock, Citigroup, Cardinal HealthEditor Note: This story will be updated as new statements are made. Like this article? Get more from Axios and subscribe to Axios Markets for free.