ATLANTA — For the first time, we’re hearing from Georgia House Rep. Park Cannon after her dramatic arrest at the state Capitol as Gov. Kemp signed the controversial election law.
Cannon talked to a crowd of supporters in front of the John Lewis mural on Auburn Avenue in Atlanta. She addressed what happened the day she was arrested, and her attorneys spoke about clearing her name.
“My experience was painful both physically and emotionally,” Cannon said.
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Her attorneys said she is facing eight years in prison after being charged with two felonies for knocking on the door while Kemp was signing a new voting law.
“I believe governors signing into law the most comprehensive voting suppression bill in the country is a far more serious crime,” Gerald Griggs said.
[EXPLAINER: What does Georgia’s new GOP election law do?]
Many showed up to the news conference holding signs and supporting Cannon. They said their focus remained the same, fighting the new voting bill.
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“We have to fight it in court, and we have to let the people speak up,” Cannon said. “We need John Lewis Voting Rights Act to pass so that this bill can be struck down.”
Channel 2′s Kristen Holloway asked Cannon’s attorneys about the pictures released of the trooper’s foot where GSP claims Cannon stepped on it.
“The good thing about this case most of it is caught on video,” said attorney Gerald Griggs. “The facts are inconsistent with what’s being reported in the police report.”
Cannon’s attorneys also said they’re hopeful but if the district attorney doesn’t dismiss charges, they are ready and capable to take this all the way to jury trial to get Cannon’s name cleared.
Cox Media Group
