(Reuters) – Public figures both applauded and criticized the decision by Major League Baseball to move this July’s All-Star Game out of Atlanta to protest a Georgia state law on voter access.
Here is a sample of the reactions:
CALIFORNIA GOVERNOR GAVIN NEWSOM
“Hey @MLB — feel free to give us a call. In California we actually work to expand voter access — not prevent it.”
REPUBLICAN SENATOR LINDSEY GRAHAM
“What a pathetic and weak decision by @MLB to give in to the Radical Left’s false attack on Georgia voting laws! … I hope the people of Georgia remember this in 2022 when they will have a chance to check/stop the Biden agenda in the Georgia US Senate race.”
BASKETBALL STAR AND PART OWNER OF BOSTON RED SOX LEBRON JAMES
“Proud to call myself a part of the @mlb family today.”
ATLANTA BRAVES
“The Atlanta Braves are deeply disappointed by the decision of Major League Baseball to move its’ 2021 All Star Game. This was neither our decision, nor our recommendation.”
NEW YORK METS PITCHER MARCUS STROMAN, REACTING TO THE BRAVES’ STATEMENT
“The worse press release of all-time.”
REPUBLICAN SENATOR MARCO RUBIO
“Dear GOP: @MLB caves to pressure & moves draft & #AllStarGame out of Georgia on the same week they announce a deal with a company backed by the genocidal Communist Party of #China. Why are we still listening to these woke corporate hypocrites on taxes, regulations & anti-trust?”
ATLANTA MAYOR KEISHA LANCE BOTTOMS
“Just as elections have consequences, so do the actions of those who are elected. Unfortunately, the removal of the @MLB All Star game from GA is likely the 1st of many dominoes to fall, until the unnecessary barriers put in place to restrict access to the ballot box are removed.”
GEORGIA REPRESENTATIVE BUDDY CARTER
“The @MLB is pathetic. Totally caving to the lies of the Left. Boycott the MLB.”
VOTING RIGHTS ADVOCATE STACEY ABRAMS
“Like many Georgians, I am disappointed that the MLB is relocating the All-Star Game; however, I commend the players, owners and League commissioner for speaking out … Georgia Republicans must renounce the terrible damage they have caused to our voting system.”
WASHINGTON POST COLUMNIST THOMAS BOSWELL
“MLB’s stand on moving the All-Star Game out of Atlanta due to voter-suppression laws in Georgia is the game’s most important action since Jackie Robinson arrived in ‘47. When MLB, often slow to act, takes a strong stand, it means that it believes that it KNOWS the nation’s pulse.”
Reporting by David Shepardson and Daniel Trotta; Editing by Daniel Wallis
