The Georgia State Code lists the rights of citizens as the right of personal security, personal liberty, and the right of private property.
The definition of “personal security” is “The legal and uninterrupted enjoyment by a man of his life, his body, his health and his reputation.”
Dr. Mark Cooray says, “Personal liberty means not only freedom from unlawful physical restraint or harm, but also freedom from arbitrary interference with one’s privacy and lawful belongings.”
Local governments strip us of these rights when local zoning ordinances ban us from the right to grow our own vegetables, fresh eggs, and honey.
At a time when nearly one in five people in Georgia are on food stamps, House Bill 853, the Right to Grow Act, seeks to return those rights to the people.
The bill is being held in committee by the lobbyists for the cities and counties who feel that it is their place to tell their citizens what they can and cannot do on their property.
The bill will die in committee at the end of the month if people do not call their legislators and support House Bill 853. There is more information at www.gafoodrights.org.
Joseph Pond
Marietta, Ga.
