Georgia lawmaker is arrested and removed from Capitol after protesting new unjust voting restrictions

Georgia lawmaker is arrested and removed from Capitol after protesting new unjust voting restrictions: By Donovan Reynolds Independent Writer

It requires a certain amount of determination to believe that in the aftermath of Donald Trump’s presidency, democracy is still under assail in the United States -of all places. Although, it should come as no surprise to external onlookers as the waters of democracy in the US is being constantly muddied by incidents of racial inequality.

Last Thursday in the US state of Georgia, a group of ultra-white conservative politicians to include Republican Party governor Brian Kemp. Signed into law a bill which makes it more difficult for black and ethnic minority voters to take part in elections. It is from a similar playbook that that he Governor Kemp has run before. Let’s not forget now, that the same Governor Kemp is accused of having used voter suppression to edge his way to an election victory against Stacey Abrams a Democratic candidate in 2018 by less than 55,000 votes.

Meanwhile, on the same day while the repressive law was being signed by Republicans behind closed doors. To add insult to injury, CNN aired a video showing state police officials takin away U.S. State representative Park Cannon from a government building in Georgia with hand cuffs.  After she knocked gently on the door where the bill was being signed. As the people’s political state representative, she was attempting to enquire. Why the voters that she represents were being suppressed by the governor signing into law 1950s “Jim Crow” like oppressive legislations?

The new voting provisions sets the bar out of reach of poor Georgians by adding a new ID requirement for absentee ballots and limits on the use ballot drop boxes. The new laws make it also a crime to approach voters in long queues with food and water. Likewise, the new rules gives state legislature more control over how elections are run in the future.

 Kingstonmouth.com has been reliable informed by the associated press that the Georgia legislation is just the tip of the iceberg. As Lawmakers in at least 43 other states have proposed voting restrictions that will soon be enacted. In response to the 2020 election, and that Georgia is one of several states that has already passed major voter restrictions.

On the same day that these inequitable laws were passed, President   Biden circuitously called out Georgia at a press conference, referring to its voting bills and calling GOP voting restrictions “sick” and “un-American.” Elsewhere, he called the enactment of the unjust voting laws “Jim Crow in the 21st Century”. In a counter attack, Senator Lindsay Graham of South Carolina accused the Democrats of playing the race card.

On Fox Television News last Sunday, Senator Graham labelled H.R. 1—a House bill proposed by the Democrats. Of seeking to expand voting access, institute new ethics rules and once again task independent commissions with redistricting. He also argued forcefully that the bill is, “the biggest power grab in the history of the country”. Since then- the counter accusations have been more politically polarised, emotive and headline grabbing.

What therefore is the reason for this senseless move by the republicans? One school of taught peddled by Democrats is that, the former President has made the acceptance of his false conspiracy theories about voter fraud in 2020 a bargaining chip for Republican candidates seeking his support in upcoming primary elections. As he still has influence over a large swathe of Republican voters.

 The other argument is, that many Democrats believe that the oppressive laws were drawn up in revenge. Since Democrats- captured Georgia in the presidential election for the first time since 1992.  Amidst a massive turnout nationally as voting methods, including mail-in ballots were expanded. This made it easier for American minorities to realise their fundamental democratic rights in a pandemic. 

Additionally, Democratic supporters believe that Georgia Republicans have also lost two US Senate seats that handed Democrats control. Of the fifty-fifty chamber based on huge Black voter turnout in runoff elections in January of this year and the laws are designed to claw back republican support in future upcoming primary elections.

 Kingstonmouth .com believes that in the aftermath of a one term Donald Trump. Conservatives unwisely believe, that the sustainability of the GOP as a political party now lies in expanding the big election lie. Furthermore, Democratic politicians argue that by placing needless limits on mail-in voting and other access to voting. It will make it difficult for minorities to vote for the Democratic Party.

We are also of the opinion, that there is a brazenness and shamelessness about how the republicans are responding to the election loss by using disinformation and voter suppression. There is little by way of policy offering to attract new supporters in the Republican Party. It is indeed a lazy and dangerous way to gaining power by using legislation to screen out opposing support -in our opinion.

Whatever the reason for this voter suppression legislation. The arrest of Georgia lawmaker Park Cannon will create a 21st Century Rosa Park moment. It is going to ignite a new emotionally charged debate over a sweeping federal voting rights bill.

 Already black feminist has rolled out the carpet of racial intersectionality in the face of this politically motivated arrest. They argue that the apprehension of congress woman Park Cannon who self identifies as a Queer. Was done to put her in her place- as she had no right to interfere in the business of white racist law makers.

It might sound cynical on our part but in the aftermath of the Trump loss at the poll and the vengeful big lie about an election steal. We at Kingstonmout.com don expect a white Knight in a Republican Shining Armour to clean up this mess in short order. Nor, do we expect the officers who arrest Park Cannon to get their just desserts or comeuppance. In America historically, the dice of Justice has always been loaded and rolled out in favour of rich white Republicans. However we have remain hopeful for “justice sake”.  

We at kingstonmouth.com are promoters of human rights. We should be having faith in the courts ability to deliver justice to Park Cannon. However, it’s difficult even in the aftermath of Donald Trump loathsome and shallow leadership. He has created a fantasy version of the Republican Party inspired by toxic lies about an election steal that has gaslighted the minds of most Republicans.

The story of last January election in for the Democrats gave them a 50/50 majority in the Senate. It showed resilience and triumph by people of colour in Georgia that extended to the wider US. Park Cannon was arrested for knocking on the door of the oppressors was a claw back moment for Democracy in the USA. There are telling signs that something is wrong with America’s race relations and political system.

 It is insidious and deeply disturbing what is taking place with Democracy in America. Don’t let the ghost of Will Rogers a democratic   revisionist and humourist haunt America. He once maliciously said “Remember, democracy never lasts long. It soon wastes, exhausts, and murders itself. There never was a democracy yet that did not commit suicide”. This prophecy should not be made realisable in the world’s most powerful democracy.

In contrast, We at Kingstonmouth.com unashamedly must curry favour with the opinion Mary Parker Follett an American Social worker on the state of democracy in America. Mainly, because we a deeply hopeful yet sceptical human rights activists. She once eloquently opined “The paradox of American democracy has been that its slogan of equal opportunity has meant, often, equal opportunity to get power over your fellows”. These words certainly hold true in the face of the current Republicans and their underhanded attempt to attain power by voter suppression.

 To conclude, in the aftermath of George Floyd and Park Cannon. The question must be asked.  Is America Still the ‘Shining City on a Hill’? We at Kingstonmouth.com wonder if Ronald Regan a proud republican was still around. Would he pull back this illuminating superlative? Anyway, by our account the arrest of Park Cannon has made America seem like a shallow weak and racist place. As Human Rights Activist We at Kimgstonmouth.com have always been accused of outside interference. It’s a badge of honour that we are proud of. As Martin Luther King assures us that, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”

Donovan Reynolds is CEO for Kingstonmouth.com He is a trained Diplomat, Human Rights Activist, and a Communication Consultant. This article is edited by Ann Smith, a British Educator and Social Activist. Kingstommouth.com is a charitable organization that has been in existence for over nine years. We have an interest in Politics, Human Rights, and International Development Issues. Viewers wishing to comment on this article may do so at the space provided on this blog. Alternatively, they can contact us at kingstonmouth 63@ gmail.com or on our Twitter or Facebook Page.