![\"IMG_6327-1\"](\"http:\/\/www.thedustininmansociety.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/IMG_6327-1.jpeg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nInsider Advantage Georgia<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n September 8, 2016<\/p>\n Race-baiting poster illustrates 2011 illegal immigration law at the Atlanta History Center<\/strong><\/p>\n Georgia\u2019s internationally-publicized 2011 illegal immigration law is now a museum piece-\u2013 literally. HB 87, the \u201cIllegal Immigration Reform and Enforcement Act of 2011\u201d is part of a new Atlanta \u201cTimeline\u201d display inside the recently-opened \u201cGather Round, stories of Atlanta\u201d exhibit at the Atlanta History Center.<\/p>\n The reprehensible, race-baiting poster put on display as the sole graphic to represent the state law should create some questions about the politics at the AHC.<\/p>\n HB 87 is part of a presentation of notable occurrences in Atlanta history and is set alongside events that include Atlanta\u2019s original establishment, the Civil War Battle of Atlanta, Reconstruction, Coca Cola being served in a bottle for the first time, the Cotton States International Exposition, both World Wars, \u201cthe revival of the KKK,\u201d Gone With the Wind, the tragic Winecoff Hotel fire, Hank Aaron\u2019s record-setting homerun number 714 and the 1996 Olympics.<\/p>\n Each event has a short description and a visual aid. As one might expect and as an example, there is a copy of Gone With the Wind, a WW l Army uniform, a baseball with to a photo of the Brave\u2019s \u201cHammerin\u2019 Hank\u201d rounding the bases, various artifacts from Atlanta\u2019s distant past\u2013 and an Izzy doll to represent the \u201996 Olympics.<\/p>\n The visual for the law that passed with bipartisan votes under the Gold Dome aimed at cracking down on illegal employment and illegal immigration may came as quite a shock to patrons not immersed in the never ending battle over enforcement of American immigration laws.<\/a><\/p>\n For that image, the Atlanta History Center chose an anti-enforcement poster from the corporate-funded illegal alien lobby that accompanied the failed effort to convince Gov. Nathan Deal to veto the legislation after it had passed the General Assembly by large margins.<\/p>\n After seeing the HB 87 display on a July 4th visit, I spoke with Calinda Lee, an AHC historian and curator of the exhibit. \u201cWe select objects to represent important events and try not to take a political perspective\u201d she told me. \u201cWe are constantly having to make editorial decisions\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n I urge readers to go see the exhibit and make up their own minds on the AHC editorial direction.<\/p>\n The non-negotiable heart of HB 87\u2014which contains 23 sections\u2014 was the requirement for use of the federal employment verification system, E-Verify <\/a>for nearly all private employers in Georgia. HB 87 was aimed at protecting jobs and benefits for legal Georgia residents. It worked.<\/p>\n In early 2011, to no one\u2019s surprise, the anti-borders gang screamed in the streets<\/a> that if put into law, the measure would encourage \u201cracial profiling,\u201d create second class \u201ccitizens\u201d and would harm the state\u2019s economy, particularly the agricultural industry.<\/p>\n Fast forward: According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Georgia\u2019s agricultural exports reached an estimated $3 billion in 2013, up from $1.8 billion in 2009. Somebody remind me, how many times since 2011 has Georgia been declared \u201cthe number one state in which to do business?\u201d<\/p>\n As a result of HB 87 becoming law most businesses in Georgia are required to use the no-cost internet-based E-Verify system. Federal regulations require that all E-Verify users display an official poster in their business that reads: \u201cThis employer participates in E-Verify.\u201d The poster must be clearly displayed in both English and Spanish.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n