Arrest of Georgia Lawmaker Sharpens Debate on Voting Bills

  • Black state representative was seeking entry into bill-signing
  • Images of Cannon’s arrest focus attention on GOP voting bills

Demonstrators during a sit-in inside of the Georgia Capitol building in opposition of House Bill 531 on March 8.

Photographer: Megan Varner/Getty Images
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The arrest of a Black Georgia state lawmaker who was seeking entry to Governor Brian Kemp’s closed-door signing of a sweeping election law is placing sharper scrutiny on Republican-led statehouses’ pursuit of voting restrictions.

State Representative Park Cannon, a Democrat, was released from jail early Friday after she was handcuffed and arrested by two White Georgia State Patrol officers as supporters demanded to know what law she violated.