Netflix announced that it will fight against the state of Georgia’s proposed anti-abortion law by rethinking its investment in the state.
The streaming service said in a statement that while it will continue to allow its shows and movies to be produced within Georgia while Gov. Brian Kemp’s fetal-heartbeat bill is in litigation, it will reassess if it becomes law, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The bill would make all abortions illegal after six weeks into a pregnancy.
“We have many women working on productions in Georgia, whose rights, along with millions of others, will be severely restricted by this law,” Netflix chief content officer Ted Sarandos said in a statement. “It’s why we will work with the ACLU and others to fight it in court. Given the legislation has not yet been implemented, we’ll continue to film there — while also supporting partners and artists who choose not to. Should it ever come into effect, we’d rethink our entire investment in Georgia.”
Georgia has become a popular place for film and television productions thanks to its generous state tax credits. More than 90,000 people in the industry are employed there, according to THR.
So far, at least two non-Netflix productions have been cancelled because of the proposed bill — Amazon’s adaptation of The Power from Reed Morano and Kristen Wiig, and a Lionsgate feature from Annie Mumolo titled Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar. Other producers, like David Simon, Christine Vachon, Mark Duplass, Neal Dodson, Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson have all vowed not to work in Georgia.
J.J. Abrams, Jordan Peele, Ron Howard and Brian Grazer have said they will continue filming in Georgia but will also donate to groups and organizations that are fighting against the heartbeat bill.
“We stand with Stacey Abrams and the hardworking people of Georgia and will donate 100 percent of our respective episodic fees for this season to two organizations leading the charge against this draconian law: the ACLU of Georgia and Fair Fight Georgia,” Abrams said in a statement. “We encourage those who are able to funnel any and all resources to these organizations.”
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