Georgia Governor Nathan Deal on Monday said he would veto the controversial “Free Exercise Protection Act,” which was intended to provide legal protection to faith-based groups who refused to provide services to or hire anyone from groups whose practices conflicted with theirs. In particular, the bill, HR 757, appeared to be aimed at same-sex marriage, and was backed by religious conservatives.

“In light of our history, I find it somewhat ironic that some in the religious community today feel that it is necessary for government to confer upon them certain rights and protections,” Mr. Deal said at the State Capitol in Atlanta. “If indeed our religious liberty is conferred upon us by God, and not by man-made government, perhaps we should simply heed the hands-off admonition of the First Amendment to the United States Constitution.”

Deal had come under intense pressure over the past week from major Hollywood corporations — including Disney-ABC, Comcast NBCUniversal, 21st Century Fox and many more — who enjoy lucrative tax credits when they produce in Georgia, and the NFL, which said it would not consider holding the Super Bowl in Georgia if the bill was made into law. The state’s Atlanta Falcons and its owner, Arthur Blank, also opposed the bill.

RELATED: Hollywood Joins Together in Opposing Georgia Anti-Gay Bill

On Saturday, March 19, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) called on corporations to oppose the bill, and many of them took up the call. On Monday, HRC declared victory:

“Our message to Governor Nathan Deal was loud and clear: This deplorable legislation was bad for his constituents, bad for business and bad for Georgia’s future,” said Chad Griffin, HRC president, said in a statement. “Today, Governor Deal heard the voices of Georgians, civil rights organizations, as well as the many leaders in the entertainment industry and private sector who condemned this attack on the fundamental rights of L.G.B.T. people, and he has set an example for other elected officials to follow.”

Supporters of the bill were dismayed but not surprised, reported the New York Times, saying their reading of the bill was that it would protect all people from being discriminated against.

“What we want to do is ensure no one is discriminated against,” said Dave Baker, executive director of the Faith and Freedom Coalition of Georgia, according to the Times.

Watch Deal’s full statement below:

READ MORE: The New York Times, ESPN, Deadline

[Image courtesy of the AP via the New York Daily News]

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