Demonstrators hold signs during a protest against House Bill 289 in front of the state capitol in Atlanta, Georgia. EPA
Demonstrators hold signs during a protest against House Bill 289 in front of the state capitol in Atlanta, Georgia. EPA
Demonstrators hold signs during a protest against House Bill 289 in front of the state capitol in Atlanta, Georgia. EPA
Demonstrators hold signs during a protest against House Bill 289 in front of the state capitol in Atlanta, Georgia. EPA

Georgia sued a third time over voting restrictions as Delta and Coke face boycott calls


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Civil rights groups intensified their legal fight against the US state of Georgia's new voting restrictions with a third federal lawsuit.

Meanwhile, Delta Air Lines and Coca-Cola, based in Atlanta, continued to face boycott calls from activists who said they must to do more to oppose the law.

The Republican-backed law, which Governor Brian Kemp signed last week, toughened ID requirements for absentee ballots and gave politicians the power to take over local elections.

It limited the use of ballot drop boxes, shortened early voting periods for run-offs and made it a misdemeanour for members of the public to offer food and water to people waiting in line to vote.

The lawsuit filed in US District Court in Atlanta late on Monday called the law racially discriminatory and "an attack on democracy".

"This law is voter suppression, plain and simple, and aimed at making it harder for black and brown and other historically disenfranchised communities to have a voice in our democracy," said Sophia Lakin, of the American Civil Liberties Union.

"It is an absolutely shameful response to the historic participation by these communities in the last election cycle."

"This law is voter suppression, plain and simple, and aimed at making it harder for Black and brown and other historically disenfranchised communities to have a voice in our democracy."

The union, the Southern Poverty Law Centre and the National Association for the Advancement of Coloured People's Legal Defence and Educational Fund filed the latest lawsuit on behalf of several grassroots groups.

They included the Sixth District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, made up of more than 500 churches in Georgia, and the historically black sorority Delta Sigma Theta.

The state already faces two similar lawsuits brought by civil rights groups over the law.

Mr Kemp's office declined to comment on the pending litigation.

Republican politicians in other political battlegrounds, including Florida and Arizona, are also seeking voting restrictions.

The say the limits are aimed at curbing fraud but research shows voter fraud is exceedingly rare in the US.

Delta and Coca-Cola have faced boycott calls on social media from critics who say they have not taken a forceful enough stand against the restrictions.

"While we are disappointed in the outcome, we don't see this as the final chapter," Coca-Cola said on Monday.

The company said it would "continue to press for improvements to Georgia's election laws in future sessions".

Delta chief executive Ed Bastian on Friday said the airline had "engaged extensively with state elected officials in both parties to express our strong view that Georgia must have a fair and secure election process", and that the legislation "improved considerably" during deliberations.

"Nonetheless, we understand concerns remain," Mr Bastian said.

In an open letter on Monday, Bernice King, daughter of assassinated civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr, criticised the Atlanta business community for its "shocking silence", especially after last year's Black Lives Matter protests and civil unrest.

The letter was also signed by the children of two other civil rights leaders, John-Miles Lewis, son of the late congressman John Lewis, and Al Vivian, son of the late Rev CT Vivian.

Democrats won Georgia in November's presidential election for the first time in decades, and then followed it up by sweeping two US Senate races in January, giving them narrow control of Congress.

Republican former president Donald Trump has claimed falsely that his loss to Democratic President Joe Biden was because of massive voter fraud, including in Georgia.

State recounts found no significant irregularities.

World record transfers

1. Kylian Mbappe - to Real Madrid in 2017/18 - €180 million (Dh770.4m - if a deal goes through)
2. Paul Pogba - to Manchester United in 2016/17 - €105m
3. Gareth Bale - to Real Madrid in 2013/14 - €101m
4. Cristiano Ronaldo - to Real Madrid in 2009/10 - €94m
5. Gonzalo Higuain - to Juventus in 2016/17 - €90m
6. Neymar - to Barcelona in 2013/14 - €88.2m
7. Romelu Lukaku - to Manchester United in 2017/18 - €84.7m
8. Luis Suarez - to Barcelona in 2014/15 - €81.72m
9. Angel di Maria - to Manchester United in 2014/15 - €75m
10. James Rodriguez - to Real Madrid in 2014/15 - €75m

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
While you're here
Ticket prices

General admission Dh295 (under-three free)

Buy a four-person Family & Friends ticket and pay for only three tickets, so the fourth family member is free

Buy tickets at: wbworldabudhabi.com/en/tickets

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If you go

Flights

Emirates flies from Dubai to Phnom Penh with a stop in Yangon from Dh3,075, and Etihad flies from Abu Dhabi to Phnom Penh with its partner Bangkok Airlines from Dh2,763. These trips take about nine hours each and both include taxes. From there, a road transfer takes at least four hours; airlines including KC Airlines (www.kcairlines.com) offer quick connecting flights from Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville from about $100 (Dh367) return including taxes. Air Asia, Malindo Air and Malaysian Airlines fly direct from Kuala Lumpur to Sihanoukville from $54 each way. Next year, direct flights are due to launch between Bangkok and Sihanoukville, which will cut the journey time by a third.

The stay

Rooms at Alila Villas Koh Russey (www.alilahotels.com/ kohrussey) cost from $385 per night including taxes.

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The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.


- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law 

If you go:

 

Getting there:

Flying to Guyana requires first reaching New York with either Emirates or Etihad, then connecting with JetBlue or Caribbean Air at JFK airport. Prices start from around Dh7,000.

 

Getting around:

Wildlife Worldwide offers a range of Guyana itineraries, such as its small group tour, the 15-day ‘Ultimate Guyana Nature Experience’ which features Georgetown, the Iwokrama Rainforest (one of the world’s four remaining pristine tropical rainforests left in the world), the Amerindian village of Surama and the Rupununi Savannah, known for its giant anteaters and river otters; wildlifeworldwide.com