Disney: We won't make people work in Georgia if it keeps its abortion ban

Disney CEO Bob Iger told Reuters on Thursday that he’s doubtful his company will continue to film movies and television shows in Georgia if the state’s radical anti-abortion law goes into effect.

“I think many people who work for us will not want to work there, and we will have to heed their wishes in that regard,” Iger said.

Disney filmed blockbusters like “Black Panther” and “Avengers: Endgame” in Georgia. But Iger said, “I don’t see how it’s practical for us to continue to shoot there,” when asked what he would do if the law survived inevitable court battles.

In total, the entertainment industry employs 92,000 people in Georgia, and brought in more than $9 billion to the state’s economy in 2018. Many A-list actors, including Amy Schumer, Sarah Silverman, Alec Baldwin, and Don Cheadle, joined Alyssa Milano in agreeing to boycott projects filming in Georgia because of the new law.

Georgia’s ban outlaws abortion after just six weeks, before many women even know they are pregnant. Signed by Republican Gov. Brian Kemp, the law could jail both women who seek abortions and doctors who perform them for up to 10 years.

In addition, even women who have miscarriages could be arrested and prosecuted if their miscarriage is suspected not to be natural. This means women could very well spend time behind bars even if charges are eventually dropped.

The new Georgia law does not take effect until January 1, 2020, but that hasn’t stopped some productions from pulling out of the state already. A new major television show for Amazon studios is already abandoned plans to film in Georgia, as well as a film starring Kristin Wiig.

If major companies like Disney follow through on their words, Kemp’s attack on women could result in severe economic consequences for the state.

Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.