From the ACLU-Arizona:
OPPOSE ATTEMPTS TO CRIMINALIZE PROTECTED SPEECH!Could publicly criticizing the state of Israel be used as evidence that you’ve committed a hate crime? If SB 1143 becomes law, it might. Mirror bills, SB 1143 and HB 2683 amend Arizona law to incorporate a definition of anti-Semitism that is so broad and vague that statements that are solely critical of Israel could be used as evidence of a hate crime, including many statements protected by the First Amendment.
The legislation’s broad definition of anti-Semitism risks incorrectly equating constitutionally protected criticism of Israel with anti-Semitism. People who protest Israel could find themselves facing a bias crime prosecution because of their political speech. The First Amendment squarely protects political speech, including criticism of any government.
What does the legislation cover? It doesn’t criminalize any speech. It is only meant to determine when someone committing a violent crime might be guilty of a hate crime.
The department is responsible for the effective operation of the central state repository in order to collect, store and disseminate complete and accurate Arizona criminal history records and related criminal justice information. The department shall:…
…Collect information concerning criminal offenses that manifest evidence of prejudice based on ANTI‑SEMITISM, race, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender or disability.
…The chief officers of criminal justice agencies of this state or its political subdivisions also shall provide to the department information concerning crimes that manifest evidence of prejudice based on ANTI‑SEMITISM, race, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender or disability.
And later on it says:
“ANTI‑SEMITISM” INCLUDES THE DEFINITION OF ANTI‑SEMITISM THAT WAS ADOPTED BY THE INTERNATIONAL HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE ALLIANCE ON MAY 26, 2016 AND THAT HAS BEEN ADOPTED BY THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE, INCLUDING THE CONTEMPORARY EXAMPLES OF ANTI‑SEMITISM IDENTIFIED IN THE ADOPTED DEFINITION. ANTI‑SEMITISM DOES NOT INCLUDE CRITICISM OF ISRAEL SIMILAR TO THAT LEVELED AGAINST ANY OTHER COUNTRY.
So what is the ACLU (and CAIR and IfNotNow….) defending?
If someone attacks a black person and calls him the “n” word, it becomes a hate crime. No one has a problem with that.
If someone attacks a gay person and calls him a faggot, it becomes a hate crime. No one has a problem with that.
If someone attacks a Jewish family at a mall and screams that they are all “fucking Zionist baby killers” – they don’t want that to be called a hate crime.
Similarly, if someone stabs a black person and says “This is for all white people!” the ACLU has no problem calling that a hate crime.
But if someone stabs a Jew and says “This is for all Palestinians!” then the ACLU wants to defend the stabber.
We have lots of ideas, but we need more resources to be even more effective. Please donate today to help get the message out and to help defend Israel.
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