Augusta, GA
Georgia passes state law on antisemitism, some disagree with the vote
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Georgia lawmakers passed a bill on Thursday allowing prosecutors to add antisemitism charges to crimes committed against Jewish people or places.
And Governor Brian Kemp says he will sign it.
A study by the antidefamation league shows antisemitic attacks are increasing.
It comes during a tumultuous time in the Middle East, but the Islamic Center in Augusta says the bill should include even more groups.
With war continuing in the Middle East, people are looking for different avenues to help. But when it comes to passing a state law on anti-Semitism, members of the Augusta Muslim community are torn.
“Peaceful coexistence, it did happen before for years and years, it can happen again,” said Azza Elremessy, who’s part of the Islamic Society of Augusta.
44 Georgia Senators votes to pass the bill.
“If you want to go out and say that you hate Israel after this bill is passed, you may absolutely do that. But if you want to commit a crime, you got a problem,” said Senate President John Kennedy.
But six Senators didn’t and some people here in Augusta agree with that vote.
“It does not help to alleviate this bad problem of anti-Semitism. Anti-Semitism is a very bad, heinous activity. And I or actually, all Muslims are against any anti-Semitic actions or talk but you cannot only limit this to the Jewish people, if you want to make a law like that, okay? Anti-Muslims should be outlawed, anti-Asian should be outlawed, anti-Black should be outlawed. So why there’s a distinction here?” said Hossam Fadel, who’s part of the Islamic Society of Augusta.
He says people should be allowed to have their own opinions and thinks this law may infringe on that right to free speech.
“There’s 35,000 Palestinians that have been killed in Gaza, at least for now or by now. So limiting our criticism of these actions by Israel is definitely not acceptable as far as anti-Semitism is. It is not. We have no problem with Jews as Jews or individuals. But we have a problem with the actions Israel committing, what we think is crimes against humanity,” he said.
At the end of the day, people just want peace.
Elremessy said: “I’d really like, you know, for us to be the one, remembered as providing the humanitarian aid, stopping the war, and taking the lead really, to bring back the peace to the Middle East.”
The Islamic Society of Augusta has events that are open to the public where they have discussions about what is happening in the Middle East and its history. For more information, visit their website.
Copyright 2024 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
SAVANNAH, Ga. — The FBI agents have confirmed that they’ve identified the chemical used in a Georgia acid attack.
Just last month, Ashley Wasielewski was walking around Forsyth Park in Savannah when a man hiding in the shadows near Whitaker Street suddenly came out and attacked Wasielewski with an unknown chemical substance.
Sources close to the investigation say that liquid melted through Wasielewski’s clothing and headphones and left her with severe burns.
On Friday, the FBI released that they now know what that substance was but are not releasing the name of the substance to the public at this time.
FBI officials say that SLED assisted and did the testing on behalf of the the organization.
Agents are also following up on leads now that the substance has been identified.
Just days after the attack, more than $260,000 had been raised for Wasielewski, who was recovering at a burn center in Augusta.
One of Ashley’s friends, Kristen Oddi organized a GoFundMe to help pay for Wasielewski’s extensive medical care.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The Augusta mayor race now has three candidates as another person has announced their candidacy.
Eric Gaines, who’s on the charter review committee and is a local real estate investor, announced on Sunday that he is running for mayor on Sunday.
He said in a Facebook post that his campaign is built on a simple idea: People before politics.
- Transparent leadership you do not have to decode.
- Accessible government that listens instead of lectures.
- Decisions based on what actually improves lives not what protects careers.
“I’m not running because someone tapped me on the shoulder. I’m not running because a political machine told me it was my turn. And I’m definitely not running because I raised a mountain of cash behind closed doors,” he said.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
Georgia Lt. Gov candidate state Rep. David Clark made a stop in Augusta Saturday. He says that some of his priorities if he wins include expanding school choice, eliminating the state income and property taxes, and reaching out to younger voters.
Clark is also an Army veteran, who served overseas. He hopes to represent all Georgians.
“Before politics and parties we’re Americans, we’re Georgians. That’s the biggest thing. People want someone who stands up and listens to people,” said Clark.
“I’m not saying we’re always going to agree, but in the end—we’re the American family, we’re the Georgian family.”
The Georgia primary will take place on May 19th, and the general election will be on November 3rd.
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