Arrested Georgia Rep. Park Cannon Vows to 'Keep on Knocking' on Doors of Power

Georgia State Representative Park Cannon has said she is unsurprised by her arrest and called on people to "keep on knocking" on doors of power.

Cannon, 29, was arrested on March 25 as she knocked on the door of Georgia Governor Brian Kemp's office as he signed controversial legislation on voting rights in the state.

This limits absentee ballots, early voting, ballot drop boxes and brings in tougher voter ID requirements. It has faced staunch criticism that it will disenfranchise Black voters. Kemp has said he will not back down amid the pushback over the bill.

Speaking on MSNBC, Cannon was asked by Joy Reid if she was surprised that she faced arrest and faces prosecution for "trying to witness the signing of a law that restricts Black voters."

"I am not at all surprised that this is what is happening in 2021 in America. This is America," Cannon said. "And we have to remain steadfast in protecting the right to vote."

Commenting further on her arrest, she said: "Why were they arresting me? Why were they doing that? And the photo of six all white men under a photo of a plantation taking away Black and brown voters' rights as well as all voters' rights. This is America. And we have to keep on knocking."

Cannon faces charges of obstruction of law enforcement and disruption of the General Assembly, the Associated Press reported.

In a separate interview with CNN, Cannon's attorney Gerald Griggs said they plan to "litigate to the fullest extent of the law." However, he expressed hope the district attorney would review the evidence and dismiss the case.

In comments reported by the Associated Press in March, Griggs said: "This was a law enforcement overreach on all the charges, and my hope is that after examining the file, the district attorney will dismiss the charges."

In regard to the affidavit, Griggs told CNN that "the facts and the evidence, as we know them, are inconsistent with what the allegations are in that report." He also suggested in prior comments that she could have a case for unlawful arrest.

In the interviews, Cannon was also seen wearing a sling on her arm. She said the injury was from the arrest, though was awaiting a medical assessment of the extent of the injuries.

Cannon has also set up a GoFundMe to raise funds for her legal defense, which she shared on Twitter with the hashtag "#KeepKnocking." Cannon's attorney last week spoke of the lawmaker's desire to return to work.

Newsweek has contacted Cannon for further comment.