The state of Georgia’s controversial new abortion bill is causing outrage throughout the U.S., and two Hollywood heavyweights are stepping up to lend their voices in opposition.
J.J. Abrams (“Lost”, “Star Wars: The Force Awakens”) and Jordan Peele (“Get Out”, “Us”) have teamed up as producers of new TV series “Lovecraft Country”, which will film in Georgia. The pair have pledged to donate their fees from the show to organizations fighting the bill, which will make it illegal for a woman to terminate a pregnancy once a fetal heartbeat is detected — which can be as early as six weeks into a pregnancy, before many women would even realize they’re pregnant.
“In a few weeks we start shooting our new show, ‘Lovecraft Country’, and will do so standing shoulder to shoulder with the women of Georgia,” they said in a joint statement, via The Hollywood Reporter. “Governor Kemp’s ‘Fetal Heartbeat’ Abortion Law is an unconstitutional effort to further restrict women and their health providers from making private medical decisions on their terms. Make no mistake, this is an attack aimed squarely and purposely at women.”
Abrams’ production company, Bad Robot, and Peele’s Monkeypaw Productions will donate funds to fight the legislation. “We stand with [Georgia gubernatorial candidate] Stacey Abrams and the hardworking people of Georgia, and will donate 100 per cent of our respective episodic fees for this season to two organizations leading the charge against this draconian law: the ACLU of Georgia and Fair Fight Georgia,” Abrams said. “We encourage those who are able to funnel any and all resources to these organizations.”
On Tuesday, Georgia’s Republican Governor Brian Kemp signed legislation that’s been nicknamed the “heartbeat bill,” which has been the subject of Hollywood opposition led by actress Alyssa Milano, who sent Kemp a letter signed by dozens of celebrities (including Amy Schumer, Debra Messing, Alec Baldwin, Sarah Silverman, Christina Applegate, Ben Stiller, Sean Penn) threatening to boycott projects shot in the state if the legislation were to pass.
Since the bill was signed, reports THR, at least five productions companies have announced they will not film in the state until the law is overturned.
