Mississippi governor Phil Bryant signed HB 1523 — the so-called “religious freedom” bill — on April 5, reports WREG Memphis.
The new law prevents legal action being taken against individuals and organizations that deny service based on their religious beliefs.
Proponents say the legislation is an answer to states that have fined or taken business permits from companies that deny services such as event rentals and bakery services to same-sex couples.
Opponents say the state is sanctioning discrimination.
In a statement, the ACLU said “Freedom of religion is one of our most fundamental rights as Americans, but that freedom does not give any of us the right to harm or mistreat others.”
“This bill merely reinforces the rights which currently exist to the exercise of religious freedom as stated in the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution,” Gov. Bryant said via Twitter.
North Carolina recently passed a similar measure, which the state’s attorney general has announced he will refuse to defend in court.
Georgia’s governor, Nathan Deal, vetoed his state’s recent religious freedom bill, saying that there’s no need to pass a law to defend the religious freedom that Americans already have.
“In light of our history, I find it ironic that today some in the religious community feel it necessary to ask government to confer upon them certain rights and protections,” Gov. Deal said.
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