An Anti-Gay Bill Similar To Indiana’s Was Just Sent To Arkansas’ Governor

Rep. Warwick Sabin, D-Little Rock, center, cheers with protesters outside of the House chamber at the Arkansas state Capitol in Little Rock, Ark., Monday, March 30, 2015. A House committee earlier Monday advanced an ... Rep. Warwick Sabin, D-Little Rock, center, cheers with protesters outside of the House chamber at the Arkansas state Capitol in Little Rock, Ark., Monday, March 30, 2015. A House committee earlier Monday advanced an amended version of a bill that opponents say allows discrimination against gays and lesbians. (AP Photo/Danny Johnston) MORE LESS
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LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — Arkansas lawmakers have given final approval to a religious-freedom bill that has drawn sharp criticism from opponents who say it opens the door to state-sanctioned discrimination against gays and lesbians.

The House voted Tuesday to approve the measure, which prohibits the state and local governments from infringing on a person’s religious beliefs without a “compelling” interest. The measure now heads to Republican Gov. Asa Hutchinson, who has said he will sign it into law.

If enacted, the move will make Arkansas the second state to enact such a law this year. Indiana Gov. Mike Pence signed a similar bill last week, and 19 other states have comparable measures on the books.

Hundreds of protesters filled the Arkansas Capitol urging Hutchinson to veto the bill.

Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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Notable Replies

  1. Come on Walmart, release a statement: In accordance with the Religious Freedom Act of Arkansas, we will follow the faith of our convictions and no longer do business with Arkansas. Bidding for our world headquarters may now begin.

  2. Hundreds of protesters filled the Arkansas Capitol urging Hutchinson to veto the bill.
    

    It doesn’t matter if he vetoes it or not. Arkansas requires only a simple majority of each house to override a veto (Arkansas State Constitution, Article 6, Section 15). Any bill that passes in the first place is veto-proof, making the governor’s veto a purely symbolic action.

  3. “…compelling…”

    How much is that in dollars and cents, or equivalent campaign contributions?

  4. Avatar for docb docb says:

    Of course, the land of tim mcveigh cotton and huckee will love this bit of discrimination…Racism and bigots are their friends…

  5. Time to spread the economic sanctions to Arkansas as well.

    Then again, Arkansas is already trying to wage economic warfare on California, and the results are predictably laughable:

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