PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: #ReopenGA Responds to Bold Reopening Plans by Canceling Drive-Up Protest Atlanta, Georgia, 4-22-20: REOPEN GA, a grassroots group opposed to Georgia’s shelter-in-place order, announced that it has canceled its protest at the Georgia State Capitol building scheduled for this Friday. The group praises the strong, evidence-based measures, announced by Georgia Governor Brian Kemp, that will take a more targeted approach to fight COVID-19, addressing the threats facing all of Georgia’s vulnerable populations. Responding to the state’s closure of wide segments of society, and its order for all citizens to stay home except for basic needs, the group’s nearly 25,000 members were prepared to descend on the Georgia State Capitol April 24 in a Michigan-style drive-through protest, staying in their cars in compliance with CDC guidelines, honking horns, and flashing headlights. However, in a post to the group on Tuesday afternoon announcing the cancellation of the event, founder Ryan Lawson said, “Yesterday #ReopenGA got a huge win. The state of Georgia got a huge win. No, our state is not ENTIRELY open yet, but we’ve definitely headed in the right direction.” The group announced plans to continue as a watchdog organization, reminding Georgia leaders that they are engaged and ready to respond should the opening of all businesses, nonprofits, and individual liberties be unduly delayed or weighed down with excessively burdensome or prolonged regulation. Reopen GA is committed to helping its members keep their elected officials updated with: The most current data from major research institutions on mortality rates, infection rates, and asymptomatic carrier rates approaching those of seasonal influenza The ongoing impact of reopening and restrictions on families, small businesses, and Georgia’s populations most vulnerable to the effects of income loss and isolation, especially rates of food and housing insecurity, suicide, domestic violence, and stress-induced disease Current ICU capacity, which is the primary metric of ongoing justification for emergency orders #REOPENGA is a grassroots Facebook group that gained more than 23,000 members in its first week. Its diverse membership comprises citizens and small business owners from every city and region of Georgia. It is committed to measures that shield those most vulnerable to COVID-19 while also protecting Georgia’s other vulnerable populations. For more information, the group can be reached at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/reopenga reopenga@gmail.com ###