Tag Archives: Arkansas

That looks like a boycott threat! (Tipped by JMG reader TJ)

“I am happy that my Dad is now calling on legislators to rework HB 1228. I had communicated with him my opposition to the bill, along with thousands of other Arkansans and concerned citizens around the country. I’m proud to have made a small contribution to the overall effort to stop discrimination against the LGBT community in Arkansas, the state …

Hutchinson opened his press conference by noting that his own son had signed the petition asking him to issue a veto. The influence of Walmart in today’s decision cannot be underestimated.

At 10:30AM local time Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson will hold a press conference on his state’s license to discriminate bill, which was sent to his desk yesterday by the Arkansas House. Hutchinson has vowed to sign the bill, but that was before Walmart stomped into the issue yesterday wearing their trillion-dollar boots. Watch live here. UPDATE: Here’s the full video.

From Brian Brown: Dear Marriage Supporter, DON’T LET THEM DO TO ARKANSAS WHAT THEY DID TO INDIANA! Minutes ago Arkansas passed a religious freedom bill. We know the other side is going to try to bully and intimidate Governor Hutchinson out of signing this bill. The time to act is NOW! Support Governor Hutchinson and urge him to Not be …

Via Arkansas Online: Arkansas’s Religion Freedom Restoration Act was approved by the state’s House of Representatives on Tuesday in a final vote before it heads to Gov. Asa Hutchinson’s desk. Hutchinson has said repeatedly he will sign the measure into law despite opponents who have called it discriminatory and a backlash against similar legislation in Indiana that has that state’s …

Published yesterday in the San Jose Mercury News. A digital version of the ad is also running on  tech websites and sites owned by the Wall Street Journal.

Arkansas Online reports: The chamber voted 24-7 to approve House Bill 1228, the Conscience Protection Act, a day after representatives from the Human Rights Campaign spoke out against the bill in Little Rock and called it discriminatory. HB1228’s lead sponsor, state Rep. Bob Ballinger, R-Hindsville, has said the bill will shift Arkansas to a strict scrutiny standard, which makes it …

Last night a federal judge issued a preliminary injunction against a recently-issued Labor Department policy that grants family medical leave benefits to married same-sex couples in states that forbid same-sex marriage. Chris Johnson reports at the Washington Blade: In a 24-page decision, U.S. District Judge Reed O’Connor, an appointee of George W. Bush, issued the preliminary injunction based on the …

Details. (Tipped by JMG reader BK)

“In Arkansas, two courageous state legislators, Rep. Ballinger and Sen. Hester, have introduced HB1228, the Conscience Protection Act, in the Arkansas state assembly. The legislators of the state of Arkansas need to hear from you right away… ask them to support HB 1228 and protect the individual conscience rights and religious liberties of the people of Arkansas. The consequences of …

Via the Human Rights Campaign: This week, Apple Inc., the world’s second largest information technology company, issued the following statement condemning the anti-LGBT bill in Arkansas, HB 1228 – a bill that could allow any person to undermine state laws by citing their personal religious belief as an excuse to discriminate against others: “At Apple inclusion inspires innovation. Our employees …

Clip recap: “Scheming villains thirst to rollback the progress our nation has attained toward full LGBT equality. But, could they actually do it? Insidious laws like Arkansas’ innocent-sounding Intrastate Commerce Improvement Act (sb202) may provide the roadmap.”

Yesterday the Liberty Counsel filed amicus briefs with the Eight Circuit Court of Appeals in the marriage cases out of Missouri and Arkansas. Via press release: The issue before this Court and courts across this country is whether the divine creation of natural marriage as the union of one man and one woman will be recognized by fallible judges, or …

After a strong social media campaign by activists, late yesterday Walmart finally denounced the Arkansas bill that bans LGBT rights statewide. Via the Associated Press: “Every day, in our stores, we see firsthand the benefits diversity and inclusion have on our associates, customers and communities we serve. It all starts with the core basic belief of respect for the individual. …

Via the Arkansas Times: Last-minute pleas that Gov. Asa Hutchinson veto SB 202, the gay discrimination legislation, won’t affect the outcome. I inquired of his press spokesman, J.R. Davis, if there was any chance the governor might change his position to allow the bill to become law, albeit without his signature. The succinct response: “The Governor’s position will not change.” …