July 15, 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM EDT - Livestream and in person at Massachusetts State House, Room A-2, Boston MA
Judiciary Committee Hearing on H. 1763, a bill that aims to codify the IHRA definition of anti-semitism into Massachusetts anti-discrimination law
Watch livestream here: Hearing Details - Joint Committee on the Judiciary
note: the deadline to sign up to testify at this hearing has passed, but please write a letter to the Judiciary Committee stating your opposition to H.1763. Address testimony to: Joint Committee on the Judiciary at 24 Beacon Street, Room 136, Boston, MA 02133 - Email written testimony to: Talia.Quinn@mahouse.gov. Please include your name, address, phone number and organization. Send a copy of your testimony to your State Representative and Senator: Find yours here: Find My Legislator. Deadline: submit testimony up to one week after the hearing
The Judiciary Committee will hold a hearing on July 15th on a bill to codify the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism (H1763) into Massachusetts’ anti-discrimination law. The IHRA definition restricts speech, deeming certain criticism of Israel and support for Palestinian rights as antisemitic and is widely rejected by lawyers, civil rights experts, Jewish Studies scholars, and educators, among others.
What does the bill do?
If passed, this bill would impose the IHRA definition on public and private employers and would impact employers’ harassment policies, employee discipline, and what employees can do. It would also apply in the housing context, affecting tenants, landlords, home sellers, and realtors. It would chill free speech and advocacy for Palestinian justice in Massachusetts. This is one of the goals expressed by some members of the state's Special Commission on Combatting Antisemitism and lead author of the bill, Rep. Steven Howitt (R-Seekonk), who serves on that Commission and is also the lead sponsor of the anti-BDS bill (H.3355).
More information here: TIM info on H. 1763 - Adobe cloud storage