Tuesday afternoon, the Georgia State Legislature was able to pass House Bill 426, colloquially known as “The Hate Crimes Bill” through both chambers.
While most Republicans were patting themselves on the back for getting House Bill 426 across the finish line, Speaker of the House David Ralston admitted there was renewed support to get the bill passed once the video of Ahmaud Arbery’s murder surfaced during the coronavirus-induced recess.
Additionally, the Georgia NAACP voiced their pleasure with the passage of the Hate Crimes Bill.
The passing of Georgia’s Hate Crimes Bill arrived during the time Rayshard Brooks’s funeral was taking place at Ebenezer Baptist Church and House Bill 838 passed through the Legislature which is loosely titled, the “Police Bill of Rights.”
State Rep. Bee Nguyen said via social media, “the passage of the Hate Crimes bill has been tainted by the passage of the Police Bill of Rights Bill.
