Sport

MLB strips Atlanta of All-Star Game over Georgia voting law

Critics of the law claim it makes it harder for Black people and other minorities to vote

The Major League Baseball Players Association are relocating the 2021 MLB All-Star Game out of Atlanta after the Georgia General Assembly passed a new restrictive voter bill. Other groups are also considering boycotts in response to the enactment of the law. File photograph: EPA
The Major League Baseball Players Association are relocating the 2021 MLB All-Star Game out of Atlanta after the Georgia General Assembly passed a new restrictive voter bill. Other groups are also considering boycotts in response to the enactment of the law. File photograph: EPA
Fri Apr 02 2021 - 22:17

Major League Baseball announced on Friday that it is moving the 2021 All-Star Game out of Atlanta in response to a new Georgia voting law that affects voting access rights.

The announcement comes one day after US president Joe Biden called for the game to be moved out of Atlanta. The All-Star Game was scheduled for July 13 at Truist Park, home of the Atlanta Braves.

"Over the last week, we have engaged in thoughtful conversations with clubs, former and current players, the Players Association, and The Players Alliance, among others, to listen to their views," MLB commissioner Rob Manfred said in a statement. "I have decided that the best way to demonstrate our values as a sport is by relocating this year's All-Star Game and MLB Draft.

“Major League Baseball fundamentally supports voting rights for all Americans and opposes restrictions to the ballot box. In 2020, MLB became the first professional sports league to join the non-partisan Civic Alliance to help build a future in which everyone participates in shaping the United States.

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“We proudly used our platform to encourage baseball fans and communities throughout our country to perform their civic duty and actively participate in the voting process. Fair access to voting continues to have our game’s unwavering support.”

Manfred said MLB is working on naming a new site for the Midsummer Classic.

"We will continue with our plans to celebrate the memory of Hank Aaron during this season's All-Star festivities," Manfred said of the Braves legend who died in January at age 86. "In addition, MLB's planned investments to support local communities in Atlanta as part of our All-Star Legacy Projects will move forward.

"We are finalising a new host city and details about these events will be announced shortly."The controversial law was signed last month by Georgia governor Brian Kemp.

There are changes regarding absentee voting and the use of voting drop boxes, as well as provisions to require additional identification from voters. It will be considered unlawful to distribute food or water to voters waiting in long lines to cast ballots.

Critics of the law claim it makes it harder for Black people and other minorities to vote.

The MLB draft is slated for July 11-13th.