State lawmaker arrested for protesting Georgia’s elections law won’t be charged, lawyer says
Cannon’s lawyer, Gerald Griggs, told CNN that they had learned about the decision through a phone call earlier Wednesday and that receiving the news was “emotional.”
The district attorney’s office confirmed to CNN on Wednesday that Cannon would not face prosecution but declined to provide additional comment.
Cannon reacted to the decision by quoting Griggs’ tweet with the hashtag “#KeepKnocking.”
On March 25, Cannon was arrested and removed from the Georgia Capitol after she repeatedly knocked on the door to Republican Gov. Brian Kemp’s office during his signing of the controversial elections bill. The Democratic lawmaker was taken to Fulton County Jail and released later that night.
She was facing charges of felony obstruction and disrupting General Assembly session, according to an arrest affidavit viewed by CNN.
The arrest affidavit also alleged that Cannon was “stomping” on a Georgia State Patrol officer’s foot “three times during the apprehension and as she was being escorted out of the property” and continued kicking the officer with her heels.
Griggs also told CNN that Cannon’s arrest was unlawful under the Georgia State Constitution and that they hoped the district attorney would dismiss the case after reviewing the video and evidence.
CNN’s Jason Morris, Pamela Kirkland and Caroline Kelly contributed to this report.
