Suite of Terrible Bills DEFEATED in Virginia General Assembly
All the anti-Palestinian, anti-Arab, anti-Muslim, and anti-free speech bills, that also targeted the movement for Palestinian rights, have been defeated!
Source: Virginia Coalition for Human Rights @vc4humanrights on instagram
None of the bills in either chamber made it to crossover. Without public engagement and our voices, both in person and virtually, this outcome would not have been possible.
DEFEATED:
HB1650: Virginia Antiterrorism Act; Civil Penalties
Attorney General is granted extensive powers to target civil society groups on suspicion of support for terrorism or potential support in the future. Used to target migrant sanctuary sites and student movements and free speech initiatives.
HB2529: Prohibits Divestment in Public Institutions
Target institutions that are seeking to uphold human rights by divesting and gives institutions cover to refuse to divest. It broadly prohibits attempts to disentangle any public university from violations of human rights, setting a dangerous precedent.
HB2207: Weaponizes Antiterrorism Tactics
The broad catch-all definitions in the bill are extremely problematic and can be used to harass and persecute students and student organizations based on their opinions, their race, religion, or ethnicity. This bill would violate student’s first amendment rights.
HB2776: Anti-BDS Bill
Aims to infringe on our Constitutional right to free speech, including the right to boycott or criticize the government, foreign or domestic. It essentially asks for a loyalty oath to a foreign government. The boycott of Israel should not be an exception and our first amendment must be protected.
HR487/SJ284:
This resolution is extremely misleading and grossly anti-Palestinian, and also dehumanizes Palestinian people. It is outrageous to introduce and consider such a bigoted resolution, particularly in the context of Israel’s genocide.
HB2186: Certain grants, partnerships, and agreements with foreign countries of concern prohibited
Would financially hurt Virginia’s public education institutions by restricting their ability to freely optimize their educational outreach and financial positions.
This has been VCHR’s 10th year advocating in the VA General Assembly for Palestinian rights. We want to thank and highlight the following coalition member organizations and allied organizations and encourage you to follow them on social media: @hamptonroads4palestine, @alx4palestine, @muslimsforjustfutures, @vastudentpower, @rva4palestine, @loudounfalastin, @fairfax4palestine, @arl4palestine, @winchester4palestine, @pal_legal, @richmonders_for_peace, @novotesforgenocideva, and others.
While we defeated the bills, we have to remember that advocacy for Palestine and other important issues isn’t a single event; advocacy is a lifestyle. Palestinian rights and the rights of so many are under threat and, just like with these bills, our continued engagement is crucial to protect our communities. Please stay engaged!