FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 4th, 2024
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A Victory for Free Speech & Individual Freedom:
ADC Welcomes the Cancellation of H.R. 867 and Mounting Resistance to Israel-Backed Censorship
ADC welcomes the cancellation of the House vote on H.R. 867, a draconian bill that sought to criminalize the free speech of Americans who choose to boycott or criticize Israel, with penalties ranging from 20 years in prison and $1 million in fines. This victory for our community follows the recent postponement of the Antisemitism Awareness Act vote in the Senate—another piece of legislation that raised deep constitutional concerns and threatened to curb free expression on campuses and beyond.
“The collapse of both H.R. 867 and the Antisemitism Awareness Act within days of each other signals a growing national resistance to legislative attempts that weaponize ‘the fight against antisemitism’ to silence dissent and shield Israel from accountability,” said ADC National Executive Director, Abed Ayoub.
“Both bills shared a dangerous goal: undermine the First Amendment,” Ayoub continued. “Together, their failure shows that lawmakers across the spectrum are waking up to the threat posed by the continued erosion of civil liberties, and that the American people will not tolerate efforts to police speech in the service of a foreign agenda.”
What began as an alliance of civil rights organizations, student groups, faith communities, and pro-Palestinian advocates has now widened. MAGA Republicans speaking out against H.R. 867—alongside progressive and moderate voices—underscores that the defense of free speech unites Americans across the political spectrum. We have reached a tipping point: a powerful, expanding coalition committed to safeguarding the First Amendment and our nation’s sovereignty from any overreach, whether foreign or domestic.
As we welcome tonight’s news we also prepare for the challenges ahead. We know that attempts to infringe on our civil liberties will resurface in new guises. But ADC is ready.