Entertainment companies explain human rights to the state of Georgia

AMC has joined Marvel and Disney in taking a stand against Georgia’s controversial religious-liberty bill. The network films its most popular show, The Walking Dead, in the Peach State, and, in a statement to the Los Angeles Times, said, “As a company, AMC Networks believes that discrimination of any kind is reprehensible. We applaud Governor Deal’s leadership in resisting a previous version of this divisive legislation and urge him to reject the current version as well.” Though the network’s language isn’t as conclusive as Disney’s, AMC pulling The Walking Dead could strike an even bigger blow to Georgia. In addition to creating local jobs, the hugely popular show has had a massively beneficial impact on the local tourism and housing markets.

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Georgia has used tax incentives to entice high-profile Hollywood productions like The Walking Dead and several of Marvel’s superhero properties to film in the Peach State. Last summer, Governor Deal boasted about Georgia’s partnership with Marvel, saying, “Ant-Man employed 3,579 Georgians, spent more than $106 million in Georgia, and utilized 22,413 hotel rooms during filming.” The commissioner of the Georgia Department of Economic Development, Chris Carr, chimed in with the larger picture:

More than 100 new businesses have relocated or expanded in Georgia to support the [film and TV] industry, creating jobs for Georgians as well as economic opportunities for our communities and small businesses and ensuring Georgia’s place in the industry well into the future.

On Wednesday a Disney spokesman made that future a little more uncertain, saying, “Disney and Marvel are inclusive companies, and although we have had great experiences filming in Georgia, we will plan to take our business elsewhere should any legislation allowing discriminatory practices be signed into state law.”