Pack the Statehouse

What’s happening?

A pair of bills (SB 297 / HB 618) were introduced in the Ohio Statehouse that would encode the IHRA definition of antisemitism—a definition that miscategorizes criticism of Israel as antisemitic—into state law and attaches that definition to heightened criminal penalties. The situation is dire. The Ohio Attorney General is backing the bills along with statewide Jewish institutions. Press about the bills has falsely linked Palestine advocacy with the neo-Nazi marches in Columbus. This is a repression bill and a weaponization of civil rights and free speech. It’s not about protecting anyone; it’s about protecting Israel under the guise of protecting all Jewish people. We need to mobilize against it! For the complete call to action, see this Google doc.

URGENT: Submit written testimony

Hearings began in the Judiciary Committee of the Ohio Senate on the bill. They already heard testimony on 12/4 in support of the bill which included comments from Jewish Federation’s Mark Ashed, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost, and many more. You can see the full list here: https://ohiosenate.gov/committees/judiciary/legislation/sb297

The committee hearing for SB 297 will begin at 9:30 am THIS WEDNESDAY 12/11 in the Statehouse in Columbus. They will be hearing “opponent” testimony against the bill that day. All testimony must be filed as a written document, even if you plan to testify in person. You must include a “Witness Testimony” cover sheet & submit it along with your testimony: https://ohiohouse.gov/files/committees/accessible-witness-information-form.pdf  Submit your completed witness form & written testimony by 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday (24 hours before the hearing) to manning@ohiosenate.gov

URGENT: Pack the Statehouse

Join us, CAIR Ohio, CPAC, and other individuals and organizations from across Ohio, as we show up at the Ohio Statehouse on Wednesday, December 11 at 9:30am to send the message that the community opposes SB 297.

Contact your state representative

See this Google doc for instructions to contact your representative, example call scripts and testimony, and lots of resources to learn more about the bill and the various definitions of antisemitism out there (including the Jerusalem Declaration which does not conflate antisemitism and anti-Zionism).