Hello everyone,
The Bill in the WI legislature to adopt the IHRA definition of antisemitism, which could be used to silence and even criminalize criticism of Israel, is moving forward in spite of heavy opposition. (See for example this recent opinion piece published in the Capital Times: “We oppose antisemitism but state proposal isn’t the answer”.)
An informational session for legislators and the governor’s staff has been scheduled by opponents of the bill for this Thursday, September 25 at noon in the North Hearing Room of the Capitol.
While this session is closed to the public, folks are asked to show up in the capitol Rotunda from 11:30 am – 3 pm to express opposition and to be ready to lobby/follow up with legislators & staff after the session. We are told this is especially important as sponsors of this repressive legislation are mobilizing their supporters to show up as well.
WHAT TO DO RIGHT NOW(1) Please call your Assembly and Senate representatives and ask that they attend the informational session Thurs. at noon in the North Hearing Room.
Ask them to vote against this attack on our constitutional right to free speech. Do it AGAIN if you did it once before; we heard many were swamped with phone calls the first time and are actually paying attention!
Find your legislators here (type your address in the box at the top right)
(2) Please call the following, ask them to attend the session, and express opposition to the bill:
Assembly Democratic Minority Leader Greta Neubauer: (608) 237-9166
Senate Democratic Minority Leader Dianne Hesselbein: (608) 266-6670(now a co-sponsor, ask her to take her name off.)
Ranking Democrat, State Affairs Committee Rep. Christine Sinicki: (608) 237-9120
(3) Call Governor Evers office at (608) 266-1212. If the bill passes (which is likely given Republican control and the key role that certain out-of-touch-with-their-base Democrats are playing in pushing it forward) the struggle will shift to asking the Governor to veto it. So please tell him you expect him to do that.
Finally, on Friday September 26, from noon-1 pm, WORT Radio’s A Public Affair host Esty Dinur will discuss the bill, clarify what’s in it and explore the dangers it poses with Prof. Raz Segal, an expert in Holocaust and Genocide Studies at
Stockton University, New Jersey. 89.9 FM or listen live here. (You can listen to Segal on a prior show here.)
Thanks for your help, Barb O.MRSCP
P.S.–Below is a statement just released by the Wisconsin Muslim Civic Alliance which contains some more information, suggested talking points for contacting legislators and a link to a petition you can sign.
__________
Dear Wisconsin Muslim Community, Partners, and Allies:
A dangerously misleading bill is moving through the Wisconsin legislature and we need your voice to stop it now.
AB 446 provides that state agencies and bodies, as well as local government units, must consider the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism when evaluating discriminatory intent. While its proponents deem its adoption as essential to fighting antisemitism, the IHRA definition classifies many forms of criticism of Israel as antisemitic. We unequivocally condemn antisemitism and recognize the need for action to fight this hateful ideology. However, adopting the IHRA definition would stifle our protected free speech rights and pose a great risk to academic freedom.
The IHRA definition goes beyond protecting our Jewish friends and neighbors, and instead silences criticism of a foreign government. While AB-446 contains a provision that nothing in the bill may be construed to infringe upon constitutionally protected First Amendment rights, the adoption of the IHRA definition will create confusion among state agencies and bodies that will be required to consider it, as it conflates speech that is critical with Israel with antisemitism.
To express your opposition to AB 446, consider sending an email or calling your state representatives and senators offices. You can find your legislator’s contact information on the Wisconsin Legislature website. Simply type in your address on the webpage linked here to find the relevant information.
Sample script for calling/email:
My name is ____ and I am a constituent from _____ (city/town). I am calling to ask [Rep./Senator ____ ] to oppose AB 446 and reject the adoption of the IHRA definition in Wisconsin. The IHRA definition conflates criticism of a foreign government with antisemitism and will not help fight bigotry. Antisemitism is reprehensible and I urge you to take alternative action that will not put our freedom of speech at risk. Thank you.
You can additionally sign our petition concerning this legislation linked here.
TAKE ACTION NOW and spread awareness about this legislation in your communities. We must stand up for our First Amendment rights and call for a state where all communities are respected, feel safe and are free to express their views without censorship.
With gratitude,
Wisconsin Muslim Civic Alliance
Wisconsin Bail Out the People Movement 
You must be logged in to post a comment.