The Georgia Coalition for the People’s Agenda, ACLU, NAACP, Urban League, League of Women Voters, faith-based organizations, and labor unions joined forces under the umbrella United to Save US for Georgia Civil Rights Lobby Day at the Georgia Capitol, mobilizing more than 350 advocates to push for the passage of the Georgia Civil Rights Act of 2025, coinciding with President Trump’s recent address to Congress last week. The day began with a morning rally at Liberty Park outside the Georgia Capitol, followed by advocacy training and direct engagement with lawmakers.
The day culminated in a press conference where coalition members condemned legislative attacks on civil rights, immigration, and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies, as well as concerns over the dismantling of federal departments and mass layoffs. Sponsor of House Bill 670, also known as the Georgia Civil Rights Act of 2025, Rep. Jasmine Clark (D-Lilburn), emphasized the urgency of enacting comprehensive civil rights protections, stating, “Georgia is not only behind in the nation but in the region.
We have fewer protections against discrimination than our neighboring states. Given Georgia’s history of slavery, Jim Crow laws, and recent attacks on DEI, this legislation is long overdue.” State Senator Sonya Halpern (Senate District 39), who introduced a companion bill in the Senate added, “I introduced Senate Bill SB320 to make sure we are codifying civil rights for every person in the state of Georgia.
These bills are not just another piece of legislation— they’re a statement of our values, a reinforcement of rights and a commitment to fairness under the law.” Nichola Hines of the League of Women Voters highlighted the bill’s role in strengthening voting rights, stating, “HB 670 and Senate Bill 320 directly reinforce the Georgia Voting Rights Act, helping to protect voters from suppression and providing tools to combat discriminatory election practices.”
Beyond voting rights, advocates emphasized the broader significance of these protections.” Andrea Young of the ACLU stated, “We must recognize that it is Georgia’s diversity that has created one of the most powerful economies in the nation. We are protecting our individual civil rights, but we are also protecting the golden goose that makes Atlanta the place that influences everybody.
That makes Georgia the place that people want to move because we have such a vibrant economy.” Helen Butler of the Georgia Coalition for the People’s Agenda connected the coalition’s mission to recent movements, stating, “The first day of legislative session we had a coalition of women here at the Capitol declaring we’re united, unapologetic, and unstoppable.
The same thing applies to this coalition; we’re united, we’re unapologetic, and we’re not going to stop until our communities receive the protections they deserve.” Rev. Dr. Jerry Black, pastor of Beulah Missionary Baptist Church, closed the press conference with a powerful message: “It is a privilege for me to stand in unison with the many groups represented here, showing that clergy and faith leaders across the state are standing with you. We are in this fight for justice.
We, the faith leaders, decided that we can no longer sit quietly. We’ve got to move beyond the walls of our churches. We’ve got to come together as one people.” The Georgia Civil Rights Act of 2025 aims to provide comprehensive civil rights protections by banning discrimination in employment, housing, and public spaces, establishing law enforcement accountability measures to prevent racial profiling, and protecting whistleblowers from retaliation.The United to Save US coalition remains steadfast in its fight for justice and civil rights protections for all Georgians. For more information or to join the coalition, visit thepeoplesagenda.org.
