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HR-59 (2017-2018)

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House Resolution No. 59

Introduced by Assembly Member Chiu
(Coauthors: Assembly Members Berman, Bloom, Friedman, Levine, Medina, Nazarian, Rubio, and Thurmond)

September 05, 2017

Relative to anti-Semitism and other bias, prejudice, and discrimination.


HR 59, as introduced, Chiu.

WHEREAS, Across the nation, and in California, there has been a rash of bomb threats targeting Jewish Community Centers, Jewish day schools, synagogues, and other Jewish institutions. In recent years, there has also been a nationwide, including in California, increase in discriminatory rhetoric and actions, including desecrations of Jewish cemeteries and verbal and violent anti-Semitic assaults targeting Jewish community members, including, specifically, Jewish university students; and
WHEREAS, The Federal Bureau of Investigations, ProPublica, Southern Poverty Law Center, Anti-Defamation League, and other reputable groups have identified evidence of hundreds of incidents of anti-Semitic harassment and intimidation in the last few months throughout the country targeting individuals perceived to be of Jewish ethnic or religious ancestry, or both; and
WHEREAS, These anti-Semitic acts appear to come from white-nationalist and racist groups, as well as from groups across the political spectrum, and often include anti-Jewish bigotry, including anti-Semitic discrimination rooted in efforts to delegitimize Jewish self-determination; and
WHEREAS, These incidents occur in the context of a steep rise in anti-Semitism globally, and xenophobic discrimination targeting people of diverse backgrounds, including Muslims, Arabs, Sikhs, Latinos, women, immigrants of all backgrounds, and LGBT people in our nation; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, That, in light of the volume and frequency of acts of intolerance and xenophobia, and the evolving nature of anti-Semitism, the Assembly hereby reaffirms its commitment to an open and inclusive state that actively opposes all of these forms of prejudice, bias, or discrimination against people based on religion, ethnicity, race, sex, national origin, immigration status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, or disability; and be it further
Resolved, That the Assembly will work to uphold principles of equality, pluralism, and inclusivity, and will stand in solidarity with Jewish and other communities whenever they are targeted or marginalized; and be it further
Resolved, That nothing in this resolution may be construed to diminish or infringe upon free speech or any other right that is protected under the First Amendment of the Constitution of the United States; and be it further