Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp (R) on Saturday mocked “C-list celebrities” who plan to boycott the state over its recent passage of a controversial “heartbeat” abortion law.
Kemp acknowledged the displeasure some feel toward the new law, which bans abortions in the state after a fetus’s heartbeat is detected, which can occur as early as six weeks into a pregnancy. But he told the crowd at the Georgia Republican Convention that lawmakers are “elected to do what’s right,” according to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
{mosads}“I understand that some folks don’t like this new law. I’m fine with that,” Kemp said Saturday. “We’re elected to do what’s right — and standing up for precious life is always the right thing to do.”
He added that the Republican Party is the “party of freedom and opportunity. We value and protect innocent life — even though that makes C-list celebrities squawk.”
Several Hollywood celebrities have voiced their displeasure with Georgia’s new law, which is set to go into effect Jan. 1, though it is expected to be challenged in court.
Actor Jason Bateman has vowed to refuse to work in Georgia if the law makes it through the court system.
Bateman currently stars in and executive produces shows that are filmed in the state.
Other celebrities have spoken out against the legislation, with many signing a letter vowing to boycott Georgia, including Sean Penn, Alec Baldwin, Mia Farrow, Christina Applegate and Ben Stiller.
Kemp also used his time Saturday to take shots at the “agenda-driven media” and “talking heads and the Twitter trolls.”