AB 715 turns classrooms into censorship zones, not learning spaces.
On Friday, September 12, the California Assembly fast-tracked AB 715 with a 71–0 vote, rushing through an unconstitutional education censorship bill at the 11th hour. The hearing and vote mirrored the classroom itself: systematically erasing Palestinian, Arab, and Muslim students while privileging one group over all others.
AB 715 is a dangerous censorship measure. If passed, it would penalize open discussions on Palestine, silence dissent, and punish educators who teach history with integrity. It relies on the widely discredited IHRA definition of antisemitism, equating criticism of Israel with hate speech. This undermines academic freedom, erases Palestinian voices, and chills Jewish anti-Zionist perspectives — while granting sweeping power to a new Antisemitism Coordinator, with no protections for Arab, Muslim, Black, LGBTQ+, or other marginalized students.
AB 715 also weaponizes the Uniform Complaint Procedure (UCP) to gag teachers. Baseless complaints become punishment in themselves: even when dismissed, teachers are interrogated, falsely accused, and threatened with job loss. At least dozens of cases have surfaced in the past two years, with teachers (especially teachers of color) being targeted, harassed, and silenced. Examples of abuse include:
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A 2nd-grade teacher displaying student identity flags (including a Palestinian flag) faced 10 outside complaints, harassment, and even drone surveillance.
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A Palestinian parent wearing a flag garment at a multicultural festival was investigated and pushed out of the district.
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A middle school teacher comparing U.S. settler colonialism to Israeli occupation was investigated for “discrimination.” The complaint was dismissed, but the chilling effect remained.
Once again, politicians have defied the will of the people in favor of special interests. Every major teachers’ and education association in California opposes AB 715 — yet lawmakers are silencing educators, students, and communities to push it forward. This is not about safety. It is about silencing solidarity and whitewashing history. California students deserve better.
Tell Governor Newsom to veto AB 715 by adding your voice today!