ATLANTA — The Georgia General Assembly is back in session for the first time since it passed the controversial elections bill, and just days after troopers arrested a Democratic lawmaker and charged her with two felonies for knocking on the governor’s outer door.
That lawmaker, State Rep. Park Cannon, was joined by Martin Luther King III and other voting rights activists Monday morning before the session started. They marched around and then into the capitol.
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There is a constitutional provision stating that legislators cannot be arrested during session, but that doesn’t apply if the legislator is charged with felonies.
Cannon’s attorney disputes that.
“That’s actually a constitutional amendment, actually a constitutional provision. She says she respects the constitution and believes the constitution should apply in this case,” said attorney Gerald Griggs.
Cannon is charged with felony obstruction and interfering with the general assembly.
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Some Democratic leaders believe those charges are only felonies because a lawmaker cannot be charged with a misdemeanor during session.
“We’re going to call on the governor to make sure these charges are dropped, that we have refrain from the way in which state legislators, as passions are sure to arise while we’re here, we have to make sure that, that never happens again,” said House Democratic Minority Leader James Beverly.
Gov. Brian Kemp, along with other Republican supporters, said the new law is aimed at preventing voter fraud and is necessary to restore voters’ confidence.
“It wasn’t a voting rights bill. It was an election security bill that actually increases early voting opportunities on the weekend here in Georgia. Also, requires a photo ID for absentee by mail, just like when you vote in person,” Kemp said.
The Fulton County District Attorney’s Office told Channel 2′s Richard Elliot that it has not charged Cannon with anything at this point and has asked the Georgia State Patrol to turn over any evidence it has.
Once the DA’s office looks at that evidence, it will then make a decision on any possible charges.
Cox Media Group
