Stacey Abrams met with film industry executives in Los Angeles to argue against Georgia boycott

[brooklynite]

Source: The Hill

Former Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams (D) said she met with film industry executives to try to dissuade them from boycotting her state in response to its new law that bans abortion about six weeks into pregnancy.

She denounced the legislation, but said she also urged companies to "#StayAndFight."

"We had productive conversations with execs, show runners, actors & more," she tweeted. "If companies #StayAndFight, we can save jobs, build power and most importantly, protect women. While the call to leave resonates for some, we must leverage the time before a final determination to lead."

"Business relies on predictability - too many companies will face growing uncertainty in our healthcare environment," she continued. "This forced pregnancy bill targets women but every Georgian is at risk if we lose doctors, jobs and billions. #StayAndFight"

Read more: https://thehill.com/blogs/in-the-know/in-the-know/448110-stacey-abrams-met-with-film-industry-executives-in-los-angeles

[hlthe2b]

1. I don't see how staying will help...

I understand Abrams' concerns, but what good is a good economy for GA when half its population is rendered not only unequal but dispensable.

[Chakaconcarne]

2. Seems this is more of a fight for the voters of Georgia...

What's it worth to them?

[LiberalLovinLug]

16. What's the end game?

Let's say everything she wants comes through. Hollywood productions all return and go on as if nothing has changed. Does she really think Georgia voters, especially the voters that did not vote for her last time, will first off even register what she did, and second attribute any bump in the economy to her? Or do you think that Brian Kemp will use that stat for himself? And propel that propaganda through Fox News and RW radio which dominates the airwaves?

I know that there will be casualties in the local film workers in that State, if even temporarily, but wouldn't the smart political move be to wait until before the next election with a promise from the film industry in her back pocket, to return as soon as the draconian abortion laws are reversed, which she will do?

I get the desire to not look at things politically as the first thing. How honourable it is to always go high when they go lo, even if you get zero credit. Even if you lose next time too and you've helped save Kemp's job. Its the bleeding heart liberal's lot in life. That at least we can sleep at night......as the country burns around you.

Sorry but we have to fight smart. This is a war.

[lark]

3. This was not a good move for her.

I get she's loyal to her state and wants more earning opportunities - but at the cost of women's lives? I don't think so.

[Farmer-Rick]

4. Stay and prevent half your workforce from accessing reproductive health care

Or go and show how bad legislation has consequences?

Maybe the legislature should have thought through who they would offend. But forcing births onto their poor women is more important to them. Too bad, so sad, live with your misogynist decisions that will make your entire state poorer.

[MattP]

5. North Carolina still might have a bathroom law without a Boycott

[More_Cowbell]

9. That's just what I was thinking of: the NC boycott

That worked.

[SCVDem]

6. Sorry Stacey!

The entertainment industry is too diverse to accept divisive and controlling legislation.

Why would they grant tacit approval by keeping a business as usual approach?

Change the mindset or all you will have are peanuts.

It is Georgia's choice after all.

[MGKrebs]

7. What leverage?

The goal is to change the law. Without consequences they won't change the law, unless we change the Reps. What is more likely to make that happen, staying or leaving?
I hate it (some of my customers are in the movie biz), but if they didn't listen to "Hollywood" prior to this, they aren't going to listen to "Hollywood" now.

[CTyankee]

8. I would like to know more about #stay and fight to make an enlightened comment.

I realize Abrams wants to save jobs for her state. Some of the jobs the state would lose might be those of poorer women who are at risk of losing their reproductive rights, in addition to their jobs.
In general, labor strikes have also had the unwanted effect of leaving striking workers without a paycheck, which they can ill afford.

So this troubles me greatly.

[Aristus]

10. This was misguided.

The assholes who promulgated this law will never, ever listen to reason. They will only listen to the pain caused by lost state revenue.

Make 'em repeal the law or make 'em suffer.

[CTyankee]

11. So what about the small shop or restaurant owner who employs people to work for them when

the film's crews arrive to shoot a film in their area? This is an economic argument that ultimately hurts the less powerful men and women who are dependent on that income. The pain you talk about is their pain too. It is the law of unintended consequences...

[Aristus]

13. The whole issue is about the law of unintended consequences.

This can be remedied by a petition, or a letter-writing campaign, or when all is said and done, at the ballot-box. "Anti-Choice Republicans Are Driving Away Important Sources Of State Revenue!" Have a Democrat campaign on that platform. If they succeed, the business will come back. If they get voted down, it means voting Georgians were willing to accept financial loss as a trade-off for intrusive government policy.

The power is in the hands of the Georgia electorate. Let's see what they do with it.

[CTyankee]

15. Labor unions have faced this dilemma many times. They often have "strike funds" to help workers

who would lose their houses or worse from not having sufficient income for their basic needs.

You are absolutely correct about the buck stopping at the Georgia electorate. I worry in the meantime about the poor women who will suffer.

[azureblue]

22. she's talking to the wrong people

She should be talking to the people who can repeal this law. The movie and TV business didn't cause this mess - the Georgia bigots did. They should be the ones fixing this.

[BlueIdaho]

12. The only thing these SOBs understand is money.

In this case, the movie industry moving out of Georgia and the loss of revenue makes clear the stupidity of their theocracy.

[Maxheader]

14. Yeah, good luck with that stacey...

Winger religious freaks show no inclination to be flexible on abortion...

[JGug1]

17. Stacey Abrams

Bullshit. The people of Georgia have elected these cretins who passed that bill. Yeah, those who oppose the bill in Georgia will suffer too. There are casualties in war.
Next election vote the bastards out.

[Kind of Blue]

18. I've only done a cursory search of the number

of Georgians who agree with Stay and Fight, it seems to be a lot of people and growing. I appreciate the voices calling for non-Georgians to listen to them instead of pushing for boycott from the outside. I've read of 2 production companies that decided to stay, J.J. Abrams and Jordan Peele, and donate to the ACLU of Georgia and Fair Fight Georgia, a voting rights group founded by Abrams.

Stay tuned.

[RT Atlanta]

19. I dont agree with her meeting

To some extent, I see her being in a 'hard place' and wanting to fight for the jobs of Georgians.

On the other hand, by being pro-choice I would like to see her doing whatever she can to help spearhead overturning the law. She really needs to help pin this stupid law on all the males (and their enablers) that rammed this law through in GA.

[GulfCoast66]

20. Smart move on her part. She obviously has an eye on a statewide races

In her future.

On top of that, people who work in the entertainment industry are among the most liberal there are. They would be the ones harmed.

I don’t think it will sway the industry so the boycott happens and she has removed a target from herself in a statewide campaign.

I don’t think she fears any challenge from the left in a primary.

Like I said, I might not necessarily agree, but it is a shrewd political move on her part.

[BannonsLiver]

23. Wow, I guess it's Abrams' time under the DU bus

One poster accused her of working for the GOP.