The office of the American Major League Baseball (MLB) commissioner announced Friday that it was moving its traditional Atlanta City All-Star Game, but did not immediately report the new headquarters.
The decision to move the mid-season classic and the collegiate draw, among other festivities that are part of it, is a strong response from the league to a new voting law in the state of Georgia that, according to the critics, unfairly limits access to the polls, especially for people of color.
“Over the past week, we have had serious conversations with clubs, past and current players, the Players ‘Association (MLBPA) and the Players’ Alliance, among others, to hear their views. I have decided that the best way to demonstrate our values as a sport is to relocate this year’s MLB All-Star Game and Draft, ”commissioner Rob Manfred said in a statement.
“MLB fundamentally supports the voting rights of all Americans and opposes restrictions at the polls. In 2020, MLB became the first professional sports league to join the nonpartisan Civic Alliance to helping to build a future in which everyone participates in shaping the United States, ”Manfred said.
“We proudly use our platform to encourage baseball fans and communities across our country to fulfill their civic duty and actively participate in the voting process. Fair access to voting continues to have the indestructible support of our game, “he added.
“We will continue our plans to celebrate the memory of Hank Aaron during the All-Star Game festivities this season. In addition, MLB’s planned investments to support local communities in Atlanta as part of our “Legacy All-Star projects will go ahead. We are finalizing negotiations with a new host city and details on these events will be announced shortly,” Manfred said.
“The Atlanta Braves are deeply disappointed by the Major League decision,” the National League team said in a statement.
“This was not our decision or our recommendation and we are sad that our fans will not be able to see this event in our city. The organization of the Braves will continue to value the importance of the right to electoral equity and we hoped that the event could serve as a platform to increase discussion, ”the team said.
“Unfortunately, businesses, employees and fans are the victims of this decision,” they said.
“Players Alliance supports the decision of Major Leagues to move the All-Star Game out of the state of Georgia in these crucial times of racial unrest and inequality,” said Players Alliance, an organization of 150 current and former players. African Americans.
Two years ago, MLB had awarded the All-Star Game in Atlanta, which opened a new stadium for the Braves, Truist Park, in 2017. It would be the third time, and first since 2000 at Turner Field, that Atlanta received the encounter of the stars.
“Proud to call me a part of the MLB family,” Los Angeles Lakers basketball player Lebron James wrote on Twitter. James, one of the most influential athletes on the planet, is a minority partner of the Boston Red Sox.
“I want to applaud and thank @MLB commissioner Rob Manfred for moving the All Star Game out of Georgia after the governor signed the new restrictive voting law A way to be a leader and take a firm stand!” He wrote in his social media wall Earvin “Magic” Johnson, a member of the Basketball Hall of Fame and a minority owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Last week, Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp enacted a law reforming state elections, which includes new restrictions on postal voting and gives the legislature more control over how the election process is conducted. . Advocates for voter rights warned that the law disproportionately marginalizes black voters.
“What worries me is how little American this whole initiative is. She’s sick. She’s sick,” President Joe Biden told a news conference after the piece of legislation was enacted.