'Hands Off' protests; Masters Week in Augusta; Shrimpers support Trump tariffs

Summary

Georgia Today Podcast Summary Episode: 'Hands Off' Protests; Masters Week in Augusta; Shrimpers Support Trump Tariffs
Release Date: April 7, 2025
Host: Peter Biello, Georgia Public Broadcasting

---

1. Nationwide 'Hands Off' Protests Sweep Georgia

Over the weekend, Georgia witnessed vibrant demonstrations as part of the nationwide 'Hands Off' protests targeting prominent figures Elon Musk and President Donald Trump. Activists converged in more than a dozen cities, voicing their concerns over leadership and its impact on democracy.

• Atlanta Rally:
  In Atlanta, thousands marched from Piedmont Park in midtown to Liberty Plaza near the state Capitol. Organizer Alina Williams emphasized the scale, noting, “We had to find extra space for the people who overfilled the park” (01:15). Participant Emma Auer highlighted the enduring nature of these protests in Athens, stating, “Athens has seen several protests organized by Democratic activists since President Trump's inauguration” (02:13).

• Savannah Demonstration:
  Savannah’s Forsyth Park saw hundreds rallying past federal buildings, with Christy York Wooten expressing a commitment to democracy: “I'm here today in support of us continuing to have a democracy” (02:13).

• Macon Gathering:
  In Macon, approximately 500 people assembled in a downtown park. Retired Methodist Minister Gary Sterrett shared his worries: “I worry about my grandchildren and don't know how to talk to my friends about those fears” (04:11). Grant Blankenship further articulated the sentiment, saying, “I'm a tired construction worker from Ohio,... I don't understand why our union guys would support him because he don't care nothing about nobody that's not rich” (02:32).

2. Masters Week in Augusta Faces Weather Challenges

Masters Week, a pivotal event for Augusta’s economy, encountered unexpected hurdles as rain forced the suspension of practice sessions at Augusta National Golf Club.

• Impact on Golfer Activities:
  Few players, including Keegan Bradley and Thomas Detry, conducted solitary practice rounds amidst the threat of thunderstorms (04:11).

• Economic Significance:
  Chase McGee reported on the economic implications, highlighting that Mary’s Home Furnishings in Augusta relies heavily on the Masters, attributing up to 40% of their annual business to the tournament (05:27). This influx is crucial for local businesses, especially those recovering from last year's devastating Hurricane Helene.

3. Georgia Shrimp Farmers Applaud Trump’s Tariff Policies

The Trump administration’s new tariffs on imported shrimp have been met with enthusiasm by Georgia’s shrimp harvesters, aiming to level the playing field against foreign competition.

• Tariff Details:
  The tariffs, ranging from 10% to 46% based on the country of origin, target the majority of shrimp sold in the U.S., which is approximately 95% imported (06:15).

• Farmer Perspectives:
  John Wallace, owner of Anchored Shrimp Company, praised the tariffs: “Create a level playing field to where we feel we can compete, make a living... just be a small family owned business” (06:31). Wallace also addressed potential consumer price increases, acknowledging that foreign shrimpers often benefit from low prices through practices like forced labor and banned antibiotics.

4. Georgia Legislature Concludes Session Amidst Unfinished Business

The Georgia legislative session concluded without passing several contentious bills, leaving significant legislation in limbo for the next session.

• Failed Legislation:
  Proposed bans on diversity, equity, and inclusion in schools, restrictions on puberty blockers for transgender teenagers, limits on school zone speeding cameras, and changes to election laws did not secure the necessary votes to pass (07:08).

• Political Reactions:
  Lt. Gov. Burt Jones remained optimistic, stating, “We've already gotten all our priorities done” (07:08), while Speaker of the House John Burns noted the Senate’s decision to adjourn, emphasizing the chamber’s focus on policy over politics.

5. Landmark Settlement for Migrant Workers in Savannah

A Savannah warehouse operator, E. Green Transport, has agreed to a settlement exceeding half a million dollars in back wages and damages to nearly fifty migrant workers who alleged widespread abuse.

• Case Overview:
  The workers, some without legal work authorization, accused the company of wage withholding, retaliation, and other unfair practices. Attorney Alessandra Stevens highlighted the case’s success due to the workers' self-advocacy: “They organized together... to stage strikes” (08:33).

• Worker Rights:
  Stevens emphasized that "workers have rights regardless of legal status," expressing concern that many may fear retaliation or deportation if they push back against abuse.

6. Upcoming Events and Announcements

• Bragg Jam Music Festival:
  The annual Bragg Jam Music Festival in Macon has unveiled its 2025 lineup, featuring headliners American Aquarium and Susto, along with over two dozen other acts. Scheduled for July 26th, the festival is one of the city’s largest tourism events.

• Delta Air Lines Expansion:
  Delta Air Lines announced its largest winter schedule to date, launching non-stop services from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport to St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Grenada. Additionally, Delta plans to increase flights to Punta Cana, St. Thomas, and other premier beach destinations, enhancing travel options for Georgia residents (07:55).

---

Conclusion

In this episode of Georgia Today, host Peter Biello and the GPB News team delved into the dynamic landscape of Georgia’s socio-political climate, economic challenges, and cultural events. From passionate protests advocating for democratic integrity to significant economic shifts impacting local industries, the episode offered a comprehensive overview of the issues shaping Georgia today. Additionally, upcoming events like the Masters Tournament and the Bragg Jam Music Festival highlight the state's vibrant community spirit. For more detailed coverage, listeners are encouraged to visit gpb.org/news.

---

Notable Quotes:

• Alina Williams (Atlanta Protester): “We had to find extra space for the people who overfilled the park.” (01:15)
• John Wallace (Shrimp Farmer): “Create a level playing field to where we feel we can compete, make a living... just be a small family owned business.” (06:31)
• Gary Sterrett (Retired Minister): “I worry about my grandchildren and don't know how to talk to my friends about those fears.” (04:11)
• Emma Auer (Athens Protester): “Athens has seen several protests organized by Democratic activists since President Trump's inauguration.” (02:13)

---

For additional information and to stay updated, visit gpb.org/news and subscribe to the Georgia Today podcast.

Transcript

[Unknown Speaker]

Foreign.

[Peter Biello]

Welcome to Georgia Today. This podcast features the latest reports from the GPB news team on today's episode. Over the weekend, activists gathered across Georgia as part of the nationwide hands off protests. It's Masters week in Augusta. Practice was suspended today. And Georgia shrimp farmers are praising President Trump's tariffs.

[John Wallace]

Level playing field. To where we feel we can compete, make a living, you know, just be a small family owned business. And that's, that's what most of the shrimp industry is. It's just family owned businesses that are just trying to survive.

[Peter Biello]

Today is Monday, April 7th. I'm Peter Biello. Activists gathered in more than a dozen cities across Georgia on Saturday as part of the nationwide hands off protests that the demonstrators were aimed at billionaire Elon Musk and President Donald Trump. GPB's reporters were there.

[Sarah Kalis]

I'm Sarah Kalas. In Atlanta. Thousands of demonstrators marched over two miles from Piedmont park in midtown to the Liberty Plaza near the state Capitol. Organizers had to find extra space for the people who overfilled the park. Alina Williams was one of them.

[Peter Biello]

And I have children, grandchildren, great grandchildren. So I'm here for their future.

[Sarah Kalis]

As for her top concerns, everything.

[Peter Biello]

The.

[Emma Auer]

Environment, you know, gosh, our security, everything.

[Sarah Kalis]

Jim Zingizer is a retired CDC employee who says he is watching his former colleagues at the agency struggle.

[Peter Biello]

The people who are running this country are trying to make it dysfunctional.

[Sarah Kalis]

Protesters carried signs condemning Trump and Elon Musk. At Liberty Plaza. They heard speakers including advocates for immigrants and fired federal employees.

[Christy York Wooten]

I'm Christy York Wooten. In Savannah, hundreds gathered in Forsyth park later marching by two federal buildings before lining East Bay street, waving signs like hands off our democracy and this is a moral moment. Laura Armitage of Savannah wore a Good Trouble T shirt in honor of late Congressman John Lewis.

[Peter Biello]

I'm here today in support of us continuing to have a democracy. And I wore this shirt because I do hope everything is peaceful and everybody does everything peacefully.

[Christy York Wooten]

Jodfree Stringer, who moved to Savannah from Ohio, said he's concerned about a lack of respect for everyday Americans.

[John Wallace]

I'm not a veteran, but I'm a tired construction worker from Ohio, a laborer. I don't understand why our union guys would support him because he don't care nothing about nobody that's not rich. And that's why I'm here today.

[Emma Auer]

I'm Emma Auer in Athens. Athens has seen several protests organized by Democratic activists since President Trump's inauguration. The Saturday protest at Athens City hall was larger than the last. More than 500 protesters quickly spilled out onto College Avenue. Donna Dempsey drove in from nearby Lawrenceville. She says she's concerned about the Trump administration's impacts on retirees like her.

[Christy York Wooten]

I rely on not only Social Security that I paid into, but my 401k the last two days. I've lost everything that I've g the last three years. So it's very concerning that our representatives aren't out there for us, for us older Americans.

[Emma Auer]

Local drumming group Palms of Fire pounded away on the steps of City Hall. Protesters demanded answers from Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency, President Trump and Representative Mike Collins.

[Peter Biello]

Hey, hey. Go votes. Trump and Musk have got to go.

[Grant Blankenship]

I'm Grant Blankenship in Macon, where about 500 people came together in a park running down the middle of Poplar Street. Downtown, the Macon crowd skewed older Some of their signs pointed to fears for future generations. Retired Methodist Minister Gary Sterrett, 82, says he worries about his grandchildren and doesn't know how to talk to his friends about those fears.

[Peter Biello]

It's difficult because a lot of my friends are conservative Republicans, you know, and I love them, but I disagree with them them of course, but it's hard, you know, I hope that they'll they'll see what's happening and slowly come to their senses. You heard Sarah Kalis, Christy York Wooten, Emma Auer and Grant Blankenship covering some of the weekend protests around Georgia. Rain forced the suspension of practice at the Masters at Augusta national this morning. Spectators are pulled off the golf course because of the threat of thunderstorms. Few players ventured out for practice rounds, and those who did, including Keegan Bradley and Thomas Dettry, played alone. But a sunny and warm forecast for the rest of the week looks promising, and not just for golfers and spectators. Area business owners also count on a strong Masters week for a big chunk of their annual income. GPB's Chase McGee has that story.

[Unknown Speaker]

Every December 26th, Emma Clare Hansen starts to think about the Masters. She's a fourth generation family employee at Mary's Home Furnishings on Broad street, and their first quarter is always packed with local looking to refurbish their rentals ahead of the tournament.

[Chase McGee]

If I had to guess, I would say we probably do anywhere from 35 to 40% of our annual business in that first quarter because of the Masters tournament.

[Unknown Speaker]

That regular income is vital for residents still recovering from last year's Hurricane Helene. It hit Augusta hard, taking lives and causing millions in damages.

[Chase McGee]

For a while we were slow just while everyone got their feet back under them and their number One priority was just having a place to lay their head at night.

[Unknown Speaker]

With the Masters just days away, things are looking up. For GPB news, I'm Chase McGee in Augusta.

[Peter Biello]

Shrimp harvesters in Georgia are applauding new tariffs announced by the Trump administration on imported shrimp. GPB's Benjamin Payne reports the tariffs will.

[Benjamin Payne]

Levy a tax of anywhere from 10 to 46%, depending on the country of origin. This new trade policy is welcome news to John Wallace. He's a third generation fisherman in coastal Georgia's McIntosh county and owner of Anchored Shrimp Company, a harvester and supplier of wild Georgia shrimp. Wallace says the new tariffs will help.

[John Wallace]

Create a level playing field to where we feel we can compete, make a living, you know, just be a small family owned business and that's, that's what most of the shrimp industry is. It's just family owned businesses that are just trying to survive.

[Benjamin Payne]

Wallace acknowledges consumer prices may rise as roughly 95% of shrimp sold in the US comes in from overseas. But he says foreign shrimpers have long commanded artificially low prices as they often rely on forced labor and banned antibiotics. For GPB News, I'm Benjamin Payne in Savannah.

[Peter Biello]

Georgia lawmakers ended the legislative session Friday with several significant bills still in limbo.

[Sarah Kalis]

GPB's Sarah Kallas reports Controversial legislation banning diversity, equity and inclusion in schools, prohibiting the use of puberty blockers for transgender teenagers, restricting school zone speeding cameras and election changes all failed to cross the finish line on sine die. The Georgia Senate gaveled out for the final time this session, just after 9pm hours earlier than usual for die. Lt. Gov. Burt Jones said we'd already gotten all our priorities done. And speaker of the House John Burns reacted to the news that the Senate had called it a night.

[Peter Biello]

But this chamber puts policy over politics.

[Sarah Kalis]

The House adjourned about an hour and a half after the Senate. Since this year's legislative session was the first of a two year cycle, any bills that did not receive final approval can still return next year. For GPB News, I'm Sarah Kalis.

[Peter Biello]

At the State Capitol, a Savannah warehouse operator has agreed to pay more than a half million dollars in back wages and damages to nearly five dozen migrant workers who alleged widespread abuse. Some of the workers didn't have legal authority to work in the U.S. nevertheless, last year they accused E. Green Transport of withholding their wages, retaliating against them when they complained to authorities and other unfair practices. After the U.S. department of labor investigated, the company agreed to the settlement. Attorney Alessandra Stevens of Sur Legal, representing several of the victims says the case was unusual, less for the abuse and more for the investigation and settlement.

[Emma Auer]

Part of the reason that this case was so successful is that these workers were really amazing self advocates. They organized together, they organized to approach.

[Chase McGee]

Their bosses, they organized to stage strikes.

[Peter Biello]

She says workers have rights regardless of legal status, and she worries that many won't push back against abuse, fearing deportation. As part of the settlement, the company did not admit any wrongdoing. The annual Bragg Jam Music Festival in Macon has released its lineup for 2025. The festival today announced headliners alt country musicians, American Aquarium and indie rockers Susto. More than two dozen other acts also were named as appearing at the event. The Brag Jam Music Crawl, one of the city's largest tourism events, will take place on July 26th. Delta Air Lines has announced its largest ever winter schedule to Latin America and the Caribbean. The Atlanta based airlines said on Friday that two new destinations from Hartsfield, Jackson, Atlanta International Airport, St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Grenada make it the only US Carrier offering non stop service to those nations. Delta also plans to increase service from ATL to Punta Cana, St. Thomas and other winter beach destinations. And that is it for this edition of Georgia Today. Thank you so much for tuning in. And thank you so much to my colleagues who filled in on the podcast while I was on paternity leave. The baby is doing well and so is Mom. If you would like to learn more about these stories, visit gpb.org news and remember to subscribe to this podcast. That way, we'll pop up in your feed automatically tomorrow. And your feedback, as always, is welcome. You can send it to us by email. The address is georgia todaypb.org we look forward to hearing your feedback. I'm Peter Biello. Thanks again for listening. We'll see you tomorrow.