Virginia: Resisting Two Attacks on Free Speech
Check to see whether anti-boycott legislation is impacting your state or local government at palestinelegal.org/resources. Scroll down and click on the map of the United States, then find your state.
As Palestinian people continue resisting Israel’s intensifying repression, our local work in the various United States grows more urgent. Two dangerous bills passed the Republican-controlled Virginia House of Delegates the week of February 6th. Virginians have until the session ends on February 25, 2023, to defeat both bills.
HB 1606, falsely conflates criticism of Israeli human rights abuses with antisemitism, and HB 1898 is an outrageous bill trying “to coerce ordinary Virginians to give up their solidarity with the Palestinian people. It would force people who have business or work contracts with the Virginia government to commit to not participate in boycotts for justice for Palestine. These bills can, for instance, coerce Palestinian Americans into choosing between funding the Israeli oppression of their families, or losing their jobs.” (excerpt from an alert on 2/14 by Leah Muskin-Pierret, Manager of Congressional & Grassroots Advocacy, US Campaign for Palestinian Rights)
UUJME supporters are part of a Virginia coalition to oppose the legislation, and are asking UUs to take action to help defeat the bills.
Last week, Allan Kellum, member of the Arlington UU Church Chapter of UUJME, reported that the Virginia Coalition Human Rights (VCHR) has a posted an Action Tool Kit, and its resources and rhetorical points (in a letter to legislators) would be useful in any state. CAIR, JVP, USCPR, and ACLU, among other organizations, are urging Virginians to contact their state senators and delegates and tell them to vote “No” on these attacks against our constitutional rights.
Notably, the American Bar Association recently removed mention of the IHRA definition from its proposed resolution on antisemitism.
There is strong UU grounding to oppose the suppression of criticism of the actions of the Israeli government. Unitarian Universalists overwhelmingly passed an Action of Immediate Witness at the General Assembly in 2019, Support Our First Amendment Right to Boycott on Behalf of Palestinian Rights. Please share the information in this email with your contacts, including state directors of UU legislative advocacy networks. Find your network at SAN Directory (cuusan.org). The following image shows a partial view of the Yes votes for the AIW. Note that some audience members were UUA staff and not voting. The offsite delegate vote was 91% in favor.
