Will Smith and Antoine Fuqua are doing their part to make a difference.
As reported on The Jasmine Brand, Will and Antoine decided to pull filming Emancipation in Georgia due to the state’s new voting laws. They are the first big names to do so. Many activists call for the film industry to boycott bringing business to the state. The actors released a joint statement:
“At this moment in time, the Nation is coming to terms with its history and is attempting to eliminate vestiges of institutional racism to achieve true racial justice. We cannot in good conscience provide economic support to a government that enacts regressive voting laws that are designed to restrict voter access.” It continues, “The new Georgia voting laws are reminiscent of voting impediments that were passed at the end of Reconstruction to prevent many Americans from voting. Regrettably, we feel compelled to move our film production work from Georgia to another state.”
Antoine is directing the movie, and his Fuqua Films company will produce it. Will stars in the film and will produce under his Westbrook, Inc. company.
Take a look at a news report:
On March 31, Governor Brian Kemp signed a controversial law that put heavy restrictions on Georgia voters. Some activists say they haven’t seen these types of laws since the Jim Crow era. For example, the new legislation calls for, via USA Today:
- Special ballots will be created for nonpartisan elections.
- Ballots must be printed in black and white ink on security paper.
- A cutoff date of 11 days before a primary, general election or runoff election for mail-in ballot applications.
- A deadline for the issuance of absentee ballots at least 25 days before a federal primary, general election or special election or 22 days before a municipal general election or primary.
- A Georgia state driver’s license number, ID card number, date of birth and the last four digits of a social security number or another approved form of identification must be printed on the outside of an absentee ballot.
The new legislation also limits the number of ballot drop boxes and makes it illegal to provide voters in line with food and water.