Atlanta, Ga. — Yesterday, Georgia faith leaders held a press conference outside of Big Bethel AME Church to sound the alarm in response to The Supreme Court’s decision last week to gut Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act and the State Election Board’s ongoing efforts to upend Georgia elections.

The Supreme Court’s decision to hollow out the Voting Rights Act is a result of a years-long effort to dismantle the legacy of the Civil Rights Movement and reduce Black representation in the United States Congress. The State Election Board – controlled by election deniers and conspiracy theorists – has pushed to abandon Georgia’s current voting system for hand-marked paper ballots in the middle of the midterm elections, which they don’t have the authority to do.

During the press conference, faith leaders warned that these vicious attacks on voting rights will lead to an unprecedented mobilization in Georgia this November and called on voters to turn out. 

See what Georgians are watching in response to the Supreme Court ruling attacking their voting rights: 

WANF: Faith Leaders Call For Voter Mobilization

• BLAIR MILLER, WANF: Faith leaders in Atlanta say they are sounding the alarm on democracy after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a key provision in the Voting Rights Act.
  
• KARLI BARNETT, WANF: Atlanta News First’s Bridget Spencer is live from Big Bethel AME Church in Atlanta and Bridget, what are they saying about this?
  
• BRIDGET SPENCER, WANF: Well Karli, Blair, they convened here at Big Bethel AME, Atlanta’s oldest Black church, to really talk about how they feel that this is a huge violation of civil rights for so many people in America, not just Black voters. Now, if you can recall, we’ve been reporting about this last week, the Supreme Court struck down Section 2 in the Voting Rights Act that carves out specific districts for voters of color on district maps. Now supporters are saying this is good. They’re saying they’re glad this effectively eliminates maps being drawn based on race. Opponents believe it dilutes the minority vote. So two totally different thoughts on this. Now faith leaders gathered today in solidarity to say this is not fair for Black voters and they also made a clarion call for people to vote in the midterms. 
  
• REV. WILLIE “BO” BARBER II, PROSPECT AME CHURCH: This is not just about Donald Trump. This is not about the face that’s on the poster. This is an ideology in America that says we will reshape democracy to enfranchise and disenfranchise other segments of America. 
  
• BRIDGET SPENCER, WANF: Now, despite some pressure to do it now, Governor Brian Kemp said it is too late to redistrict is drawing new lines as early voting is already underway for the midterms.

CBS Atlanta: Georgia Faith Leaders Call For Mobilization Of Voters After Supreme Court Ruling

• T.J. ANTHONY, CBS ATLANTA: The U.S. Supreme Court is fast tracking a major change just days after its ruling on the Voting Rights Act. Just last week, the high court ruled that Louisiana’s congressional map was an unconstitutional, racial gerrymander. Well, typically, the court issues its judgment 32 days after handing down a decision. In this case, the court allowed its decision to take effect early. So that means Louisiana’s new congressional map will likely be finalized before the November midterm elections. So in response to the Supreme Court narrowing its Voting Rights Act, some church leaders that you see right here are taking the fight for voting rights from the Supreme Court to the Church steps. Today, Georgia faith leaders gathered outside Big Bethel AME Church in historic Sweet Auburn neighborhood, calling for a massive mobilization of voters. They say democracy is coming under question and are asking voters to respond at the ballot box.
  
• REV. WILLIE “BO” BARBER II, PROSPECT AME CHURCH: It’s a slow death. Policies are changed. Norms are non-existent. Decorum is out the window. We are not getting ready for a problem, we are in the problem. And it’s time for us to recognize, as voters, that we are the last stand. 
  
• T.J. ANTHONY, CBS ATLANTA: Governor Brian Kemp has said he will not push to change Congressional maps in Georgia before the November election.
  

WTVM: Faith Leaders Fear Less Minority Representation

• ROSLYN GILES, WTVM: Georgia faith leaders are voicing concerns tonight about a Supreme Court ruling that guts a key provision of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. They fear it could lead to less minority representation in Congress. It was specifically Section 2 of the Act that the Supreme Court decided was unconstitutional. It allowed Congressional maps to be redrawn to include large blocks of minority voters. The idea: give minority citizens more representation. This opens the door for states to redraw their maps in a way that breaks apart minority groups, and while also lawmakers will also be heard from–want to do that right away. Pastors and ministers today said this will be a huge blow to democracy.
  
• DR. JAY AUGUSTINE, SENIOR PASTOR OF BIG BETHEL AME CHURCH: I have no doubt that they will take the license given by the gutting of Section 2 as another opportunity to push people to the margins.

WALB: Rallying Voters After SCOTUS Decision

• BRITTANYE BLAKE, WALB: Faith leaders are sounding the alarm on democracy. This comes after the Supreme Court struck down a key provision in the Voting Rights Act. They convened in Atlanta to sound off on how and why they think this is a violation of civil rights for many Americans. Section 2, which was struck down — that carves out specific districts for voters of color. Supporters say they are glad this effectively eliminates maps being drawn based on race, while opponents believe it dilutes the minority vote. Faith leaders made a clarion call for people to vote in the midterms
  
• REV. WILLIE “BO” BARBER II, PROSPECT AME CHURCH: […] is not just about Donald Trump. This is not about the face that’s on the poster. This is an ideology in America that says we will reshape democracy to enfranchise and disenfranchise other segments of America.
  
• BRITTANYE BLAKE, WALB: Despite some pressure to do it, governor Brian Kemp says it is too late for the state to do any redistricting ahead of the midterms. The last day to vote early is May 15th.