Asian Americans Advancing Justice-Atlanta Opposes HB 30
House Bill 30 is a bad faith effort to define anti-semitism at the expense of the right to free speech protected by the First Amendment. The bill both in its original form, and the version favorably recommended by the House Judiciary Committee on February 21, rely on a controversial definition of anti-semitism provided by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) that includes criticism against and protest of Israel among its definitions of anti-semitism. While some proponents of the bill insist that it does not bar any type of speech, others have explicitly admitted that they would like the bill to be used to chill free speech against the State of Israel.
We oppose HB 30 because the definition of anti-semitism outlined in the bill is imprecise and unclear, leaving it open to misinterpretation and misuse. The bill’s sponsors continue to refuse to transparently incorporate the definition and examples provided by the IHRA into the full text of the bill. Despite their insistence that the IHRA definition does not impinge on free speech, there are numerous instances in the IHRA’s definition and supplementary examples that potentially risk the rights of free speech and dissent against the State of Israel and the displacement of Palestinian people.
We support the investigation, tracking, and reporting of crimes that are motivated by race, gender, national origin, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, or other statutorily protected characteristic. However, we do not endorse legislation that expands the carceral system instead of addressing the systemic conditions that contribute to violence. Although HB 30 and statutes like it create provisions for addressing individual incidents, they do little to deter bigots who act violently and address the root causes of racist violence. At the same time, carceral solutions put already marginalized communities at greater risk for surveillance, criminalization, detention, and deportation.
Given the rise in anti-Asian violence in recent years, we understand the grave effects of hate speech and violence and the pernicious nature of antisemitism. Our work in the wake of violent incidents affecting Asian-American communities has been to center victims and their families by providing financial and community support rather than bringing law enforcement into our communities. We take our lead from people who have been victimized by crime themselves, who overwhelmingly prefer responses beyond incarceration.
