Sen. Ossoff backs Georgia state rep after arrest

Sen. Jon Ossoff (D) backed a Georgia state lawmaker who was arrested for trying to observe Gov. Brian Kemp (R) sign a controversial voting bill into law.

“I stand with Georgia State Rep. Park Cannon (@Cannonfor58), who was arrested and CHARGED WITH A FELONY for … for what? For *knocking on Gov. Kemp’s office door* as she tried to observe the cowardly closed-door signing ceremony for the voter suppression law,” Ossoff said on Twitter.

I stand with Georgia State Rep. Park Cannon (@Cannonfor58), who was arrested and CHARGED WITH A FELONY for … for what?

For *knocking on Gov. Kemp’s office door* as she tried to observe the cowardly closed-door signing ceremony for the voter suppression law. pic.twitter.com/hpp6ZQxo2r

— Jon Ossoff (@ossoff) March 26, 2021

The arrest came as Kemp was signing a measure that imposes several voting restrictions in the state, including limiting ballot drop boxes and requiring photo ID for absentee voting.

Cannon was arrested Thursday evening after she knocked on Kemp’s door several times as he signed the bill into law. She was charged with obstruction of law enforcement and “preventing or disrupting General Assembly sessions or other meetings of members.” 

Lt. W. Mark Riley, Georgia State Patrol’s public information officer, said that Cannon was repeatedly instructed to stop knocking on the door, which was marked “Governor’s Staff Only,” and was advised that she would be arrested.

Video of the arrest circulated on social media and a number of other supporters have come to her defense.

Georgia’s other senator, Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.) also condemned Cannon’s arrest. Cannon is a parishioner at Ebenezer Baptist Church, where he was senior pastor.

“What we have witnessed today is a very desperate attempt to lock out and squeeze the people out of their own democracy,” he told reporters on Thursday.