(PHOTOS) ‘Hands Off Georgia’ rallies against bills banning ‘divisive’ concepts
Students hold a sign during the Hands Off Georgia protest in opposition of HB 1084 and SB 377. The students gathered at Liberty Plaza across from the Georgia State Capitol on Friday, Feb. 25, 2022. Photo by Dean Hesse.
By Dean Hesse, contributor
Decatur, GA — Decatur High students on Friday, Feb. 25, organized a protest as the newly formed group Hands Off Georgia. They rallied against bills that would ban the teaching of “divisive” concepts in public schools.
The protest was held at Liberty Plaza near the Capitol. The bills under consideration ban “divisive” concepts from being taught in schools. Banned concepts would include claims that the United States is “fundamentally or systematically racist,” that any people, are “inherently racist or oppressive, whether consciously or unconsciously,” according to Georgia Public Broadcasting.
Students listen to speakers during the Hands Off Georgia protest in opposition to HB 1084 and SB 377. The students gathered at Liberty Plaza across from the Georgia State Capitol on Friday, Feb. 25, 2022. Photo by Dean Hesse.
Mary Margaret Oliver, Representative for Georgia House District 82, speaks to around 200 students gathered at Liberty Plaza across from the Georgia State Capitol on Friday Feb. 25, 2022 during the Hands Off Georgia protest against HB 1084 and SB 377. Photo by Dean Hesse.
Students march along Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive in downtown Atlanta during the Hands Off Georgia protest in opposition to HB 1084 and SB 377 on Friday, Feb. 25, 2022. Photo by Dean Hesse.
Senior Ana Villavasso is one of a group of Decatur High School students who organized the Hands Off Georgia protest. The students gathered at Liberty Plaza across from the Georgia State Capitol on Friday Feb. 25, 2022 opposing HB 1084 and SB 377. Photo by Dean Hesse.
Students hold signs during the Hands Off Georgia protest in opposition to HB 1084 and SB 377. The students gathered at Liberty Plaza across from the Georgia State Capitol on Friday, Feb. 25, 2022. Photo by Dean Hesse.
Representative for Georgia House District 83, Becky Evans, 3rd from right, with the student organizers of the Hands Off Georgia protest in opposition to HB 1084 and SB 377 on Friday, Feb. 25, 2022. Photo by Dean Hesse.
Students hold signs during the Hands Off Georgia protest in opposition to HB 1084 and SB 377. The students gathered at Liberty Plaza across from the Georgia State Capitol on Friday, Feb. 25, 2022. Photo by Dean Hesse.
A student holds a sign during the Hands Off Georgia protest in opposition to HB 1084 and SB 377. The students gathered at Liberty Plaza across from the Georgia State Capitol on Friday, Feb. 25, 2022. Photo by Dean Hesse.
Students chant during the Hands Off Georgia protest in opposition to HB 1084 and SB 377. The students gathered at Liberty Plaza across from the Georgia State Capitol on Friday, Feb. 25, 2022. Photo by Dean Hesse.
Student protestors pose for photos on the steps of the Georgia State Capitol during the Hands Off Georgia protest in opposition to HB 1084 and SB 377 on Friday, Feb. 25, 2022. Photo by Dean Hesse.
Students march past the Georgia State Capitol during the Hands Off Georgia protest in opposition to HB 1084 and SB 377 on Friday, Feb. 25, 2022. Photo by Dean Hesse.
Students march down Capitol Square during the Hands Off Georgia protest in opposition to HB 1084 and SB 377 on Friday, Feb. 25, 2022. Photo by Dean Hesse.
Students march past Atlanta City Hall during the Hands Off Georgia protest in opposition to HB 1084 and SB 377 on Friday, Feb. 25, 2022. Photo by Dean Hesse.
Students march past Georgia State University during the Hands Off Georgia protest in opposition to HB 1084 and SB 377 on Friday, Feb. 25, 2022. Photo by Dean Hesse.
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