Former President Barack Obama has weighed in on the MLB’s decision to move their All-Star game out of Atlanta. Obama complimented the league saying in a tweet, “Congratulations to [the MLB] for taking a stand on behalf of voting rights for all citizens.”
Obama and other voting rights activists have come out loudly opposing the new Georgia law that requires ID for absentee voting, allows state officials to take over local election boards, decreases access to ballot drop boxes and criminalizes giving food or drink to people waiting in line to vote.
Obama’s comments have been seconded by President Joe Biden, who also urged the MLB to change the All-Star game venue. Biden called the new Georgia law “Jim Crow in the 21st Century” and “an atrocity.”
The MLB All-Star game was to be held in Atlanta to honor player Hank Aaron who played for the Atlanta Braves. The league still plans to honor Aaron at the game. Obama then said in his tweet, “There’s no better way for America’s pastime to honor the great Hank Aaron, who always led by example.”
