H.R. 3106 IGO Anti-Boycott Act has one intent and it is to attack the boycott that the BDS movement advocates, because these boycotts are extremely successful. This law cannot force consumers to buy any goods, it is a protection for companies to not feel pressured into supporting the BDS boycott. However, no one is pressuring anyone to boycott, so the entire law is irrelevant. This massive boycott of brands and companies that are from Israel, or companies that support Zionism, is effective because the sheer number of people with conviction are affecting the bottom line of these targeted companies.
The IGO Anti-Boycott Act amends the Anti-Boycott Act which is US law that states that US citizens cannot participate in foreign-originated boycotts if the initiator of the boycott is a foreign government. This amendment to that Anti-Boycott Act adds the International Governmental Organization to the original act.
If this law is meant to address the BDS movement, then it will not affect the boycott that they initiated and organized because the BDS is not an IGO but a collective of individual Palestinians and groups that support the movement.
Representative Lawler introduced the bill as a message of opposition the BDS and any boycotts that are against “American ideals.” Sadly, this congressman has lost the fundamental understanding of the First Amendment and the free will of the people. Americans opposition to Israel and participating in a boycott is not antisemitic or against American ideals, but his stance is devoid of any aspect of democracy or human rights, which are supposed to be the foundations of America. Lawler held a town meeting and refused to let any press enter or the constituents that attended to record his responses. This representative is not upholding any aspects of democracy, but he does fully support fascism. The bills he has sponsored and written against civil liberties and rights definitely explains his fascist stance perfectly.
This law is unnecessary, and the intent is to threaten an organization that supports human rights of Palestinians through a peaceful means, a boycott. No companies have been threatened to participate in the BDS boycott, so there is no need for this law. The BDS is not an IGO, so there is no need for this law. This is a waste of taxpayer money that is meant to attack a peaceful means of protest when there should be bills that protect rights like a law protecting Palestinians from harassment and violence, that would be a worthwhile use of time in the legislature.
Calling for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza should be the priority of the legislature, but they choose to focus on suppressing dissent and suppressing voices that support human rights.
Vote out Rep. Mike Lawler from NY. Vote this fascist out of office.
Vote them all out.
Support the BDS boycott and please do not purchase from: HP, Siemens, AXA, Puma, Israeli Fruits and Vegetables, Soda Stream, AHAVA, and Sabra Hummus.
From the river to the sea, may Palestine be free. May the whole world be free.
Boycott. Protest. Vote 3rd party. BE UNGOVERNABLE. Donate. Volunteer. Contact your elected officials. Share the news from Gaza. Share the stories from Gaza. Share the history of Gaza. Please extend the same energy to other areas and people facing genocide- Sudan, Congo, West Papua, the Rohingyans, Armenians, and the Uyghurs.