Bill Text: CA SCR35 | 2015-2016 | Regular Session | Amended

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft

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Bill Title: Anti-Semitism.

Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 54-32-1)

Status: (Passed) 2015-07-22 - Chaptered by Secretary of State. Res. Chapter 129, Statutes of 2015. [SCR35 Detail]

Download: California-2015-SCR35-Amended.html

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BILL NUMBER: SCR 35	AMENDED
	BILL TEXT

	AMENDED IN SENATE  MAY 6, 2015

INTRODUCED BY   Senator Stone
   (Coauthors: Senators Anderson, Bates, Berryhill, Block, Gaines,
Mitchell, Roth, Vidak, and Wolk)

                        MARCH 26, 2015

   Relative to Anti-Semitism.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SCR 35, as amended, Stone. Anti-Semitism.
   This measure would urge each University of California campus to
adopt a resolution condemning all forms of anti-Semitism and racism,
and would condemn any act of anti-Semitism  augmenting
education programs  at all publicly funded schools in the
State of California.
   Fiscal committee: no.



   WHEREAS, The United States Department of State defines
anti-Semitism as "a certain perception of Jews, which may be
expressed as hatred toward Jews. Rhetorical and physical
manifestations of anti-Semitism are directed toward Jewish or
non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community
institutions and religious facilities"; and
   WHEREAS, There is clear evidence of increasing and alarming
incidents and expressions of anti-Semitism throughout the world; and
   WHEREAS, From sea to shining sea one can witness the proliferation
of anti-Semitic activity; and
   WHEREAS, In February of 2015, the California Legislature's Jewish
Caucus held a press conference addressing anti-Semitic acts and in
the same week an estimated 500 people gathered on the steps of the
State Capitol to protest the recent rise in anti-Semitic acts
occurring across the nation, including the display of the Nazi
swastika symbol superimposed  on to   onto 
an American flag that was hung in the front of a private home in
Sacramento's River Park neighborhood, which tarnished the reputation
of the Golden State; and
   WHEREAS, Swastikas and other anti-Semitic sentiments have
increased in recent months on college campuses across the country and
around the world; and
   WHEREAS, In 2014, the kinds of recorded anti-Semitic acts
committed in the United States and around the world included murders;
violent  attacks,   attacks  and death
threats against Jews; arson,  graffiti  
graffiti,  and property desecration; and murders at Jewish
cemeteries, places of worship, schools, and community events; and
   WHEREAS, These types of anti-Semitic acts also extended to soccer
stadiums, the  internet,   Internet, 
editorial cartoons, and the use of Nazi salutes, leading many Jewish
individuals to conceal their religious and ethnic identity; and
   WHEREAS, In April of 2014, the United States Department of State
released the International Religious Freedom Report recognizing that
anti-Semitism continues to be internationally prevalent; and
   WHEREAS, The governments of France, Germany, Italy, and the United
Kingdom, the four countries where the majority of anti-Semitic
incidents have occurred in Europe, have strongly condemned
anti-Semitism as unacceptable in European society and have all made
clear statements that such attacks on their Jewish communities are
intolerable; and
   WHEREAS, The State of California actively promotes tolerance to
all faiths and religions; and
   WHEREAS, The United States government has played an essential role
in counteracting the resurgence of anti-Semitism worldwide and has
consistently supported efforts to address the rise in anti-Semitism
through its bilateral relationships and participation in
international organizations such as the United Nations, the
Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, and the
Organization of American States; and
   WHEREAS, The Legislature joins with people everywhere in
unequivocally condemning all forms of anti-Semitism and rejecting
attempts to justify anti-Jewish hatred or violent attacks as an
acceptable expression of disapproval or frustration over political
events in the Middle East or elsewhere; now, therefore, be it
   Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, the Assembly
thereof concurring, That the Legislature hereby urges each University
of California campus to adopt a resolution condemning all forms of
anti-Semitism and racism, including Islamophobia; and be it further
   Resolved, That the Legislature condemns any act of anti-Semitism
 augmenting education programs  at all publicly
funded schools in the State of California in order to promote
tolerance and acceptance of all religious beliefs in accordance with
the rights afforded to each person by the Founding Fathers of this
nation and the authors of the United States Constitution; and be it
further 
   Resolved, That nothing in this resolution is intended to diminish
the rights of anyone, including students, to freely engage in any
speech or other activity protected by the United States Constitution;
and be it further 

   Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this
resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.