Former President Obama praised Major League Baseball (MLB) after it pulled its All-Star Game from Georgia in protest at the state’s new voting restrictions.
“Congratulations to @MLB for taking a stand on the right to vote for all citizens. There is no better way for America’s pastime to honor the great Hank Aaron, who always led by example, ”Obama tweeted Saturday.
congratulations to @MLB for taking a stand on behalf of the right to vote for all citizens. There is no better way for America’s pastime to honor the great Hank Aaron, who always led by example.
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama Boehner on Bachmann: Right-wing media has turned ‘people who were marginal characters into powerful media stars’. with people who call you a Kenyan Muslim traitor ‘MORE (@Barack Obama) April 3, 2021
The praise comes after the MLB announced it would pull its July 13 game out of Atlanta in opposition to a series of voter restrictions that Gov. Brian Kemp
Brian Kemp Trump Calls For Boycott Of MLB For Moving All-Star Game House Republican Calls MLB ‘Absolutely Pathetic’ For Moving All-Star Game Warnock: MLB Decision ‘Unfortunate’ Due To Georgian Law MORE (R) signed the law last month.
Rob Manfred, the MLB Commissioner, said in a statement that the decision was made after discussions with teams and players and that moving the game out of the Peach State is “the best way to demonstrate our values as a sport.” The MLB draft will also be moved out of Georgia.
“Major League Baseball fundamentally supports the right to vote for all Americans and opposes restrictions on the ballot box,” said Manfred.
Among the restrictions that Kemp has signed by law are limits on ballots, shorter periods during which a resident of Georgia can request a post-in ballot, and new photo ID requirements for absentee voting.
The new measures have received devastating criticism from Democrats and a range of private companies, who compare it to voter oppression.
Democrats in Georgia said they were disappointed that their state will not host the All-Star Game, but said they understood the MLB position.
Disappointed @MLB will move the All-Star Game, but proud of their stance on voting rights. GA GOP traded economic opportunity for oppression, ”tweeted Stacey Abrams, voting rights advocate and 2018 candidate for Georgia.
Disappointed @MLB will move the All-Star Game, but proud of their stance on voting rights. GA GOP traded economic opportunity for oppression. On behalf of PoC target of # SB202 To vote + now lose wages, I urge events and productions to come speak or stay and fight. #gapol
– Stacey Abrams (@staceyabrams) April 2, 2021
Republicans have taken the necessary steps to ensure election security, although there is no evidence of widespread fraud in the state and the November election has been certified on three separate occasions.
The GOP hammered on the MLB’s decision, saying it collapsed under pressure from the Democrats.
“Georgians – and all Americans – should fully understand what the MLB’s tough decision means: cancel culture, and political activists wake up to every aspect of your life, including sports. If the left disagrees with you, facts and truth don’t matter, ”Kemp said in a statement Friday.