On Wednesday, April 14, hundreds of business and celebrity representatives signed a statement opposing the laws governing ballot box entry in the United States, while examining several lessons presented by Republicans about the election organization. Amazon, Facebook, Goldman Sachs, rich businessmen Michael Bloomberg and Warren Buffett, big law firms and NGOs, as well as actor George Clooney, singer Paula Abdul and model Naomi Campbell have all added their names to it. “We must all have a responsibility to stand up for the right to vote, to oppose discriminatory legislation, or to oppose any action that would prevent or prevent any eligible voter from being given an equal and fair opportunity.”, Is it written in this text published in the form of an ad inclusion in newspapers? New York Times And Washington Post.

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The venture was started by former American Express boss Kenneth Chenolt and current Merck executive Kenneth Frazier and African-Americans. They have been active in mobilizing the business community since the passage of a law in the state of Georgia to combat electoral fraud, for example by strengthening the identity verification of voters who vote by mail, limiting the number of ballot boxes allowed, or restricting advance and postal voting. According to its opponents, it mainly restricts access to the ballot box, especially targeting African-American voters. In Georgia, in the South American United States, the wounds of segregation still linger, and thanks to record-gathering, especially black voters, Joe Biden won in November 2020. Last month, the state already banned the fact that it was distributing water or food, especially to voters queuing to vote, arguing that it wanted to prevent any attempt to influence their vote.

The law quickly caused a wave of criticism, calling for a boycott of the economy and sports. The North American League of Baseball (MLB) has announced that the All-Star Game 2021, to be held on July 13 in Atlanta, the capital of Georgia, will finally be held in another state. Actor Will Smith has decided that his next film, set aside for the history of slavery in America, will not be filmed as planned in Georgia. Many large companies, including Delta and Coca-Cola, initially failed to oppose the term more strongly.

No Walmart

Their leaders later made more public criticisms of the law, which Republicans opposed. Republican Senate leader Mitch McConnell has called on businesses “Stay out of politics”, Especially in the “Very Controversial Topics”. Many books similar to those adopted in Georgia are now being prepared in the country, in Arizona, Texas, Florida, and Michigan. Under the leadership of Donald Trump, who has not explicitly acknowledged his defeat, many Republicans, without proof, think the last election was rigged by fraud.

In this context, many civil rights organizations and individuals are pressuring companies to intervene more forcefully in the political debate. In response, more than 30 Michigan companies, including General Motors (GM) and Ford, asked state leaders on Tuesday. “Avoid any action that reduces electoral participation”. “We said last year that we would use our weight to prevent inclusion of all.”, GM underlined in a message sent to AFP justifying their participation in this letter. If the company does not protect the right to vote, it will not “The goals of inclusion and social justice are not being met”, Group added.

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Some of the big names in the business world are missing out on a statement released Wednesday, such as the CEO of Walmart, the country’s largest private employer. Doug McMillan said the group regularly discusses political and economic issues, such as taxation. He has already backed other statements defending the right to vote. But it does not have to interfere with the supermarket chain “In partisan politics” He added that Walmart does not plan to talk to each new venture.