Wisconsin Governor Signs International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) Bill Into Law, ADC Warns of Lasting Threats to Free Speech and Civil Liberties

Washington, DC — Today, Governor Tony Evers of Wisconsin chose to sign Assembly Bill 446 into law, advancing a harmful measure that threatens dissent and protected political expression. The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) strongly condemns this decision to enact AB 446, legislation that codifies the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism into state policy. This bill poses a direct threat to First Amendment rights, civil liberties, and democratic participation.

Over the past several months, ADC has engaged directly with partners, state lawmakers, and the Governor’s office on this issue. Most recently, ADC was joined in this effort by a coalition of more than 44 organizations—including civil rights advocates, legal experts, faith leaders, and community groups—all of whom urged the Governor to veto the bill. In a joint letter signed by over 44 organizations, our coalition made clear that codifying IHRA would distort civil rights protections and create a precedent for suppressing lawful political expression. By signing this bill into law, the state has introduced a politicized definition into public policy that will carry real consequences for advocacy, academic freedom, and public discourse.

This decision stands in direct contrast to the Governor’s recent veto of AB 672, a bill that would have criminalized political advocacy under broadly defined “terrorism” provisions. While that veto reflected a recognition of the dangers of expanding state power to suppress dissent, the signing of AB 446 advances a parallel framework—one that regulates speech rather than criminalizing it outright, but raises many of the same constitutional concerns.

“This was never about a single bill in isolation,” said Ellie Yousif, Government Affairs and Policy Manager at ADC. “This debate has been widely mischaracterized. It is not an interfaith conflict. It is a legal and political project that defines the boundaries of acceptable speech on Palestine. When definitions expand, enforcement follows—and when enforcement expands, dissent contracts. What we are seeing is a broader shift in how legal frameworks are being used—moving from criminalizing identity and association under ‘terrorism’ to regulating speech itself under ‘antisemitism.’ These are not separate debates. They are part of the same trajectory. The IHRA definition is not a neutral tool to address antisemitism. It is part of an expanding legal and political apparatus that regulates Palestinian advocacy, shields state violence from scrutiny, and introduces risk into constitutionally protected speech. At a moment when mass violence against Palestinians is globally recognized, people who speak out are increasingly being recast as the source of harm. That is not theoretical—it is already happening.”

ADC emphasized that the concerns raised in opposition to AB 446 mirror those that led to opposition to AB 672. AB 672 attempted to criminalize dissent by expanding the definition of ‘terrorism’ to include political advocacy. IHRA operates differently, but with a related effect—expanding the definition of antisemitism in ways that can be used to suppress lawful speech. One targets people through criminal law. The other targets speech through civil rights frameworks. Both raise serious constitutional concerns.

ADC warned that the impact of this decision will extend beyond Wisconsin. This sets a precedent, and precedents like this do not remain contained—they travel. What is codified here today will be used to justify similar efforts elsewhere, with lasting consequences for constitutional protections and the future of political expression in this country.

Full coalition letter is available here: 

American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC)

American Civil Liberties Union of Wisconsin

About Face: Veterans Against the War

Baraboo Acts Coalition 

Christian-Jewish Allies for a Just Peace for Israel-Palestine

Citizen Action of Wisconsin 

CODEPINK Milwaukee

Coulee Region for Palestinian Rights

Drop the ADL from Schools

Echo Valley Hope 

Freedom Road Socialist Organization

Green Bay Anti-War Committee

Hate Free Outagamie

Healthcare Workers for Palestine—Milwaukee

Interfaith Peace Working Group 

Islamic Society of Milwaukee 

Islamic Society of Sheboygan

Jewish Voice for Peace Action 

Jewish Voice for Peace—Madison 

Jewish Voice for Peace—Milwaukee 

Madison DANA (Dharma Action for Nonviolence and Awareness)

Madison-Rafah Sister City Project

Madison Students for a Democratic Society

Madison Women’s International League For Peace and Freedom (WILPF) 

Milwaukee Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression

Milwaukee For Yemen 

Milwaukee Islamic Da’wa Center 

Muslim Women’s Coalition

Oshkosh Mosque

Palestine Partners

Peace Action Wisconsin 

Reproductive Justice Action Milwaukee (RJAM) 

Sanctuary for All, Madison 

Students For a Democratic Society (UWM)

Transgender Resistance Action Committee

UW Muslim and Muslim-Allied Faculty and Staff

Voces de la Frontera 

We Are All Gaza/We Are All Palestine

WISDOM

Wisconsin Bail Out the People Movement

Wisconsin Education Association Council 

Wisconsin Christians for Justice in Palestine 

Wisconsin Muslim Civic Alliance 

Wisconsin Jews for Justice