Hollywood Actors Threaten State of Georgia Over Abortion Bill

A file photo of an ultrasound film of a 13-week fetus. Kornn Photo/iStock

A list of roughly 50 actors signed a letter penned by actor Alyssa Milano threatening to boycott the state of Georgia if they successfully pass the so-called pro-life “heartbeat” bill.

The H.B. 481 bill, dubbed the Living Infants Fairness and Equality (LIFE) Act, would ban most abortions after six weeks from conception or when the heartbeat of the infant can be detected by the hospital. Georgia’s Republican governor, Brian Kemp, is expected to sign the bill when the state’s House of Representatives votes on it. 

In the letter, the actors vowed to leave the state if the bill gets signed into law, Deadline reported. Those who signed their name include Amy Schumer, Amber Tamblyn, Alec Baldwin, Don Cheadle, Rosie O’Donnell, Patton Oswalt, Sarah Silverman, Essence Atkins, Uzo Aduba, Gabrielle Union, Christina Applegate, Ben Stiller, Sean Penn, David Cross, Mia Farrow, Colin Hanks, and Bradley Whitford.

Alyssa Milano attends TheWrap's Power Women Summit at InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown on Nov. 1, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. Presley Ann/Getty Images

“We cannot in good conscience continue to recommend our industry remain in Georgia if H.B. 481 becomes law,” the letter states.

The letter quickly took a threatening turn.

“We can’t imagine being elected officials who had to say to their constituents, ‘I enacted a law that was so evil, it chased billions of dollars out of our state’s economy.’ It’s not the most effective campaign slogan, but rest assured we’ll make it yours should it come to pass,” it said.

The letter has been circulating on social media. It was first sent to Georgia House Speaker David Ralston and Governor Kemp on March 28.

Brian Kemp attends the Election Night event at the Classic Center on Nov. 6, 2018 in Athens, Georgia. Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

Meanwhile, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced on March 26 that the Trump administration will expand on existing anti-abortion policies with the addition of a new rule that prohibits U.S.-funded organizations from aiding foreign groups that support abortion.

Speaking to reporters, Pompeo said the United States will crack down on these non-governmental organizations. At the same time, he said they are “fully enforcing” federal law to prohibit the use of taxpayer dollars to “lobby for or against abortion.”

But there were also other actors defending the pro-life Georgia bill.

One of them was Ashley Bratcher who stars in the movie “Unplanned,” the story of a Planned Parenthood director-turned-anti-abortion activist.

Bratcher responded to Milano with a letter of her own from “Mother to mother.”

“Hollywood may be silent on women’s rights but Georgia, the new home of the movie industry, is making its voice heard loud and clear,” she wrote on Deadline. “I’m incredibly proud of my home state for taking a stand in the fight for life amidst backlash and dubious threats.”

She continued: “Alyssa, let me make something very clear to you. In Georgia, we care just as much about being pro-life as being pro-film. We don’t believe in putting a price tag on the value of a human life.”

Bratcher described the pro-abortion laws being passed in New York and Vermont as “radical.”

The H.B. 481 bill states that the “full value of a child begins at the point when a detectable human heartbeat exists.”

“The State of Georgia, applying reasoned judgment to the full body of modern medical science, recognizes the benefits of providing full legal recognition to an unborn child above the minimum requirements of federal law,” the bill said.