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Jewish, Muslim, and Civil Rights Organizations Rally Against Anti-Free Speech Bill in New Jersey

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Civil rights, Muslim, and Jewish advocacy groups have joined forces to protest Assembly Bill A3558, which they claim will crack down on free speech and silence critics of Israel. The bill, which the International Holocaust Remembrance Association (IHRA) definition of antisemitism into state law, is set to be voted on in the Assembly State and Local Government Committee on Thursday. In opposition, these organizations are urging lawmakers to pass the Immigrant Trust Act instead, which would codify and expand protections against local ICE collaboration.

Key Takeaways:

  • A coalition of civil and human rights organizations, including the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), has gathered to protest Assembly Bill A3558 and urge lawmakers to pass the Immigrant Trust Act.
  • The IHRA definition of antisemitism has been criticized by the ACLU, Human Rights Watch, the Center for Constitutional Rights, and hundreds of academics and Jewish organizations.
  • Advocates claim that codifying IHRA into law would threaten free speech and target critics of Israel, particularly those advocating for Palestinian human rights.
  • The Immigrant Trust Act, on the other hand, would codify and expand protections against local ICE collaboration, ensuring immigrant families aren't targeted by racial profiling or fear-based policing.
  • Over 20 organizations, including American Muslims for Palestine, the American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey, Black Lives Matter, and Jewish Voice for Peace, are participating in the rally.
  • The rally will take place in front of the New Jersey State House on Thursday, with a news conference and hearing scheduled for the same day in the State House Annex.

Statistics:

  • 20+ organizations are participating in the rally against Assembly Bill A3558.
  • 200+ academics and Jewish organizations have criticized the IHRA definition of antisemitism.
  • The IHRA bill is set to be voted on in the Assembly State and Local Government Committee on Thursday.
  • The Immigrant Trust Act would codify and expand protections against local ICE collaboration, ensuring immigrant families aren't targeted by racial profiling or fear-based policing.

Sources:

  • Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR)
  • American Muslims for Palestine (AMP)
  • American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey (ACLU-NJ)
  • Black Lives Matter-Paterson (BLM Paterson)
  • etc

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