Georgia Gubernatorial Candidate Criticizes Anti-Riot Laws as ‘Silly’
Former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms calls anti-riot laws ‘asinine’ amid Georgia’s gubernatorial race.
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Keisha Lance Bottoms, the Democratic gubernatorial candidate in Georgia, has criticized anti-riot laws as ‘silly’ and ‘asinine,’ highlighting her stance on the need for meaningful dialogue over punitive measures. Bottoms, who previously served as Atlanta’s mayor, made these remarks during an interview with The Atlantic shortly after leaving office in 2021.
Focus on Dialogue Over Punishment
When asked about proposals to stiffen penalties for unruly or violent protests, Bottoms dismissed the laws as ‘really silly.’ She argued that the focus should be on understanding the reasons behind public demonstrations, rather than imposing harsher penalties. ‘Let’s have a conversation about the open carry law in Georgia and how protesters can walk with AK-47s down the street, and there’s no penalty for that. That scares me more than 100 college students protesting peacefully in the street,’ she said.
Context of 2020 Protests
Bottoms emphasized the need for reform, citing the nationwide protests that occurred in the summer of 2020. ‘It was because we were witnessing something that we had never witnessed as a country as whole in my lifetime,’ she stated, underscoring the importance of addressing the underlying issues driving such protests.
Call for Voter Engagement
She also urged voters to engage at all levels of government, stressing that ‘it’s not enough that we show up and we vote for the president.’ Bottoms argued that local elections are equally important, as they shape the laws and policies that affect communities directly.
Legislative Context in Georgia
At the time of her comments, Georgia lawmakers were considering a bill to increase penalties for rioters obstructing roadways and causing mayhem. While the bill ultimately failed, a similar law was enacted in 2026. Other states, like Florida, have also passed similar legislation to address lawless behavior during riots.
Running Against Rick Jackson
Bottoms is currently running against Republican billionaire health executive Rick Jackson in Georgia’s gubernatorial race. Recent polls show Jackson narrowly leading Bottoms by an average of 1.6 points.
Source: Breitbart
