Five Georgia senators condemn Education Committee’s passage of DEI legislation

ATLANTA—A group of Georgia senators are condemning the Senate Committee on Education and Youth’s passage of House Bill 127. The proposed legislation that prohibits public schools, local education agencies and public postsecondary institutions from promoting or maintaining programs that advocate for diversity, equity and inclusion. 

The bill passed out of the Senate Committee on Education and Youth on Thursday, March for diversity, equity and inclusion. 

Senators Elena Parent (D–Atlanta), RaShaun Kemp (D–Atlanta), Donzella James (D–Atlanta), Sonya Halpern (D–Atlanta) and Freddie Powell Sims (D–Dawson)spoke against the committee’s passage of the legislation in a joint statement, stating: 

“Yesterday, Georgia Senate Republicans took yet another step backward by advancing HB 127 out of the Senate Committee on Education and Youth. This bill, which would initially have provided much-needed sick leave for our hardworking teachers, has been completely gutted and repurposed into a direct attack on diversity, equity and inclusion in our schools and public universities.

Let’s be clear: diversity is a strength, not a weakness. Instead of supporting policies that uplift our students and educators, Republicans have chosen to target programs that guarantee every student, especially those from historically unrecognized communities, has the opportunity to succeed. Georgia’s students deserve an education that prepares them for the real world, one that values different perspectives and fosters an inclusive environment.

Instead, this bill sends a dangerous message that diversity and inclusion have no place in our schools. Many students will suffer the consequences of this short-sighted legislation, and our state’s ability to attract top talent and businesses will suffer.

We are also deeply disappointed by the lack of transparency in yesterday’s committee process. So many members of the public came forward to testify against this harmful bill, yet their voices were silenced. The people of Georgia deserve to be heard, not shut out of the democratic process.

We will continue to fight against HB 127 because our children, our teachers and our future depend on it. We urge our colleagues to reject this misguided legislation and support a more inclusive, forward-looking Georgia.”

Sen. Elena Parent serves as Chairwoman of the Senate Democratic Caucus. She represents the 44th Senate District which includes portions of DeKalb and Clayton County. She may be reached at (404) 656-5109 or by email at elena.parent@senate.ga.gov.

Sen. RaShaun Kemp represents the 38th Senate District, which includes a portion of Fulton County. He may be reached at (404) 656-0105 or by email at rashaun.kemp@senate.ga.gov.

Sen. Donzella James serves as the Chair of the Senate Committee on Urban Affairs. She represents the 28th Senate District, which includes portions of Douglas and Fulton counties. She may be reached by phone at 404–463–1379 or by email at donzella.james@senate.ga.gov

Sen. Sonya Halpern serves as Democratic Caucus Vice Chair. She represents the 39th ​Senate District, which includes a portion of Fulton County. She may be reached at 494–656-9644 or sonya.halpern@senate.ga.gov.

Sen. Freddie Powell Sims represents the 12th Senate District which includes Baker, Calhoun, Clay, Dougherty, Early, Miller, Mitchell, Quitman, Randolph, Stewart, Sumter, Terrell and Webster County. She may be reached at 404-463-5259 or freddie.sims@senate.ga.gov.