ATLANTA – State Representative Eric Bell (D-Jonesboro) today issues the following statement regarding the potential deployment of Georgia’s National Guard:
“Dear People of Georgia and America,
“At this pivotal hour, I write not simply as a legislator, but as a son of Georgia, as a veteran who once pledged my life to defend this nation and as a believer in the dignity of every human soul. I believe Georgia is standing at a crossroads regarding governance and the protection of individual rights.
“What is before us is not from foreign shores but from within—the possibility of deploying troops on our own soil, against our own citizens. This is no act of security. I believe this an attempt to create division among Americans and Georgians and could be seen as serving private interests rather than the public.
“In the spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., I remind you of his words:
‘All men are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.’
“When soldiers stand against citizens, it would not be one neighborhood that suffers—it could be the whole fabric of our democracy that could be torn.
“Like Paul Revere once said, ‘The British are coming,’ I now cry with urgency: I am concerned about groups who, through certain actions, may create divisions among communities and socioeconomic groups, potentially preventing people from recognizing their shared interests.
“And let me be clear: I believe members of our Armed Forces are bound not only by conscience but by law. Under Article 92 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice, service members have a duty to obey lawful orders but also a duty to refuse unlawful ones. The Nuremberg Principles affirm that ‘just following orders’ is no defense for crimes against humanity. The Department of Defense itself codifies this in Directive 2311.01E, which requires U.S. forces to comply with the law of war and refuse participation in unlawful acts. For these reasons, it is my position that turning American troops upon American citizens is a violation of both principle and law, and no service member should be compelled to participate.
“Those should remember that their obligations are to the Constitution and the people, not to authority. It is my view that protecting freedom and upholding the rule of law are central to American principles, and I believe the Revolution was fought to ensure that no individual could undermine the rights and dignity of the nation’s people.
“We must not mimic the failed ideologies. This is America, the land of the free and the home of the brave. This is Georgia, a place of fierce independence.
“I say to you: if you fight with me, I will fight with you. If you stand with me, I will stand with you. Together, we can ensure Georgia remains a beacon of democracy.
“It is my belief that history is watching, and our children and grandchildren are listening. I maintain that we should remain vigilant and not be misled or distracted. Let us stand together, shoulder to shoulder, and declare with one voice: Not here. Not now. Not Georgia. Not America.”
Representative Eric Bell represents the citizens of District 75, which includes a portion of Clayton County. He was first elected to the House of Representatives in 2023 and currently serves on the Defense & Veterans Affairs, Human Relations & Aging and Small Business Development committees.
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