Georgia’s government is already facing severe criticism and threats of boycotts from Disney and other businesses over the Free Exercise Protection Act, a bill which would essentially make it legal for businesses to discriminate against customers over the issue of same-sex marriage. Now on the heels of Disney’s announcement, AMC, which produces and airs The Walking Dead, is weighing in.
AMC stops short of stating Rick and the crew will pull up stakes and find a new home if the law passes. But it urges Governor Nathan Deal to veto the law in no uncertain terms:
As a company, AMC Networks believes that discrimination of any kind is reprehensible. We applaud Governor Deal’s leadership in resisting a previous version of this divisive legislation and urge him to reject the current version as well.
The Walking Dead, after Disney, is one of the biggest feathers in Georgia’s cap as a film production hub. Losing the series could potentially mean losing millions in revenue for local businesses, although not everyone enjoys the show’s presence, as well as the tourism value that comes with being the setting for one of the highest-rated TV shows in the nation. It may not be a blow that the state’s film industry can truly afford, if it wants to stay viable, and yet another factor Gov. Deal will need to consider as he looks at the legislation.
(via The Wrap)
