Hollywood heavyweights threaten Ga. boycott over religious freedom bill

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Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal is facing mounting pressure from Hollywood heavyweights to veto a religious liberty bill that critics describe as anti-gay, with some threatening a boycott that could cost the state billions in business and thousands of jobs. 

In the past week, nearly three-dozen actors, directors and studio companies have threatened to pull out of lucrative projects in Georgia -- a popular filming location dubbed the “Hollywood of the South” -- if Deal signs the bill. The Republican governor has until May 3 to decide whether to do so. 

The bill would allow faith-based organizations to deny services to those who violate their “sincerely held” religious beliefs. It also would let employers retain the right to fire employees not aligned with those beliefs. 

Supporters like Mike Griffin, a pastor and communications representative of the Georgia Baptist Mission Board, say the bill protects religious viewpoints and in turn prevents discrimination against faith-based groups. Griffin told FoxNews.com he believes threats to pull profits from the state are “nothing but fear mongering.”

On Thursday, director Aaron Sorkin, Anne Hathaway and Seth MacFarlane were among the celebrities who added their names to a lengthy list of power hitters in a letter released by the Human Rights Campaign.

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Some of the companies and studios to come out against the bill:

  • GM
  • Sony
  • Lionsgate
  • 21st Century Fox
  • Disney
  • Marvel