FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 7, 2025
[email protected]
Washington, D.C. | The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) condemns Governor Gavin Newsom’s signing of AB 715 and SB 48, two deeply flawed bills that will erode the principles of free inquiry, equal protection, and democratic process in California classrooms, under the guise of antisemitism prevention.
Let’s be absolutely clear: AB 715 transforms classrooms into censorship zones. By exceptionalizing antisemitism above all other forms of prejudice, the legislation sets a dangerous precedent — opening teachers and students to harassment, silencing critical voices, and sowing resentment across communities. California’s existing education code already has robust laws protecting against discrimination; this bill is not about safety, it is about political exceptionalism.
“ADC is shifting its strategy accordingly. Having engaged in good faith through advocacy and policy channels, we now turn to litigation. California cannot claim to be a leader in civil rights while simultaneously passing laws that undermine freedom of speech and academic freedom, and prioritize one community’s pain over all others,” said ADC National Legal Director, Jenin Younes.
“ADC stands firmly with educators, students, and communities across California who reject censorship, exceptionalism, and the false narrative that these bills are about inclusion. True safety and dignity come from equality under the law — not from policies of exclusion that privilege some while silencing others.”
A Broken and Manipulated Process
AB-715’s passage through Sacramento underscores just how undemocratic the process has been. Earlier this year, as part of the California Coalition to Defend Public Education (CCDPE), comprised of over 100 groups including teachers’ organizations, parents groups, civil rights groups, religious congregations, racial justice organizations, and supporters of ethnic studies focused on protecting free speech, critical thinking, and analysis on all issues in our California public schools, we defeated AB 1468 — an earlier version of AB 715. Following this victory, the coalition mobilized to defeat AB 715 in committee, where the bill stalled in the face of widespread opposition.
Rather than respect the legislative process, the California Legislative Jewish Caucus cut a backroom deal with Pro Tem Mike McGuire to revive AB 715 through procedural maneuvering. Furthermore, reports indicate that the authors of AB 715 struck a deal with the chairs of the Latino, Black, and AAPI caucuses—Senator Gonzalez (D-Long Beach), Senator Weber-Pierson (D-San Diego), and Assemblymember Fong (D-Alhambra)—securing their names on the bill in exchange for promised funding for Ethnic Studies. This betrayal of basic democratic principles has resulted in a law that misrepresents its support and ignores the will of educators, labor unions, civil rights groups, and cultural organizations across the state and country.
Despite Governor Newsom’s claim of broad support, opposition to AB 715 spans education, labor, civil society, culture, advocacy, and civil rights organizations. Dozens of Jewish groups, educators, and community leaders have also voiced opposition to this legislation. Yet their perspectives are erased in favor of a political agenda that subordinates K-12 education to the Israel Lobby. Jewish students and teachers who are critical of Israel or who advocate for Palestinian rights are made invisible by this law.
By elevating one group’s experiences above all others, California leaders have planted the seeds of division. Instead of protecting students equally, they have chosen a path of politicized protectionism that will erode trust in classrooms and expose teachers to spurious investigations for simply teaching history or encouraging open dialogue. This bill is not just misguided — it is illegal. It infringes on constitutional rights to free speech and equal protection and will not withstand legal scrutiny.