A group of Georgia faith leaders and community members gathered before the start of the 2026 legislative session at the Georgia State Capitol on Jan. 12 with a simple demand.
Civility.
The group, called “First Five Freedoms,” is a coalition founded by Andrew Lewis made up of faith leaders, community leaders, and citizens across the state from all religious and political backgrounds. It’s focused on “escalating and increased political violence in our communities.”
“At this juncture, all communities are frightened and on edge, and we have a responsibility to each other to bring the temperature down,” Lewis said.
A Pew Research Center survey found the vast majority of adults, 85 percent, think politically motivated violence is increasing. It comes in the midst of news stories like the recent shooting in Minneapolis, where an ICE agent fatally shot resident Renee Good and sparked public outrage.
It’s not the only incident. Earlier this year, Minnesota House of Representatives Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman, Minnesota State Senator John Hoffman and their families were murdered in political assassinations. The recent violence also comes in the wake of the anniversary of the Jan. 6, 2020 attack on the U.S. Capitol and attempted coup.
But in Georgia, the faith leaders are trying to push back. On Jan. 12, members of Christian, Jewish and Muslim faiths joined to “respond to hostility not with escalation, but with restraint.”
“In many respects, Georgia is no different than any other state across the United States,” Lewis said. “We have many who have their very, very strong opinions, and some who express their opinions in a way I would describe as not helpful.”
Lewis said the faith leaders are a “moral backbone” that helps hold politicians accountable.
“You have the power to remind us through carefully chosen words that democracy itself can allow,” Rabbi Lydia Medwin said. “There’s still a chance to battle down the temperature.”
Rob Kime, the President of the Cartersville Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, said people can “honor each other” by recognizing the right to think, speak and worship even while disagreeing “profoundly.”
That’s what Lewis hopes to get through to Georgia’s legislature, which kicked off on Jan. 12 and will continue through April 2. Lawmakers will have a tight deadline to find common ground (and votes) that will pass legislation.
“Our elected leaders have the additional responsibility of representing us across our state, across our station, and to recognize the fear in our communities,” Lewis said. “To recognize that adding fuel to the fire of division is not the answer.”
But Lewis thinks Georgia has one key feature: A history built on the backdrop of faith leaders, like Baptist minister and Atlanta native Martin Luther King, Jr. who led the civil rights movement. On Jan. 12, Reverend Damon Williams of the Providence Missionary Baptist Church said the faith community has never balked at Georgia’s “turbulent times.”
“Here in Georgia, we have a backdrop of a unique history that the faith community has stepped into fraught times before and helped guide us as a city, as a state, as a nation through those difficult days,” Lewis said.
As the faith leaders sent out their plea for civil disagreement, the session began and the group sang “God Bless America” in front of a growing crowd. Legislators geared up for a packed session with controversial policies like eliminating the income tax or banning diversity, equity and inclusion programs.
Rabbi Medwin’s warning lingered, though.
“We look to you legislators,” he said. “Do your part.”
