Netflix to work with ACLU to fight Georgia abortion law

Netflix says it’ll work with the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) to “fight” against Georgia’s so-called heartbeat abortion law. 

“We have many women working on productions in Georgia, whose rights, along with millions of others, will be severely restricted by this law,” Netflix chief content officer Ted Sarandos said in a statement Tuesday first reported by Variety. “It’s why we will work with the ACLU and others to fight it in court.”

The legislation, signed by Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp (R) earlier this month, bans abortions after a fetal heartbeat can be detected, which is sometimes as early as six weeks.

{mosads}Several actors and production companies have since threatened to pull their projects that are based in the Peach State in protest of the abortion bill, which is poised to take effect in January.

“We thank Netflix for offering to support our upcoming lawsuit against Georgia’s unconstitutional abortion ban,” Talcott Camp, deputy director with the ACLU Reproductive Freedom Project, said in a statement to The Hill. “The moment is now — no one can sit on the sidelines while our reproductive rights are under attack.”

Multiple Netflix productions are currently filming in Georgia, according to the state’s department of economic development, including the Emma Roberts feature film “Holidate” and the third season of the drama series “Ozark,” among others.

But in his statement, Sarandos said the media giant would “rethink” its slate of productions in Georgia if the law goes into effect.

“Given the legislation has not yet been implemented, we’ll continue to film there, while also supporting partners and artists who choose not to,” Sarandos said. “Should it ever come into effect, we’d rethink our entire investment in Georgia.” 

Georgia reportedly claimed more than $9 billion in total economic impact from the film industry in fiscal 2017.

Updated at 4:16 p.m.