House Resolution 894 passed. Twelve representatives voted against it, which is an improvement from House Resolution 888, but there should have been a majority against both resolutions. I can’t take that gain of a few representatives as a win since these representatives still voted for Resolution 888, it seems like this is more of an act to save face. We will have to see how everyone votes on the latest fascist policy.
I assumed the House of Representatives would take a breather after that little marathon of fascist resolutions, but they have the taste for suppressing rights, and they aren’t satiated just yet. House Bill 6578, not a resolution, proposes that a commission investigate antisemitism with the capability of subpoenaing people who the commission feels exhibits antisemitic language or actions, and by antisemitic they mean anti-Zionist.
This bill gives the Commission the power to subpoena anyone in the US “relating to any matter which the Commission is empowered to investigate under this act.” If you fail to appear, they will issue a warrant for you to appear.
This bill gives the Commission the ability to look at any information they want regarding any person if they have a suspicion.
This bill eliminates the 5th Amendment. HOW CAN IT DO THAT? THAT IS UNCONSTITUTIONAL.
Interestingly, this bill does not use the word anti-Zionism, but it does refer to the property of Jewish people or non-Jewish people.
This bill seeks to investigate hatred toward Jews including the use of “rhetorical and physical manifestations” of the hate directed at Jews.
The authors of the bill are purposefully keeping the language broad. Broad and ambiguous language is a tool of those who intend to abuse the language of a bill. It is alarming that this bill proposes that a Commission can investigate anyone, at anytime, on a WHIM, and then subpoena this person and interrogate them in front of this Commission.
EVERYONE IN THE US SHOULD BE FURIOUS AND ALARMED.
THIS BILL STRIPS AMERICANS OF RIGHTS. IT IS UNCONSTITUTIONAL.
House Bill 6578 directly attacks the First and Fifth Amendments. If you want your rights protected, vote these fascist autocrats out of office. They are not safe to have in power. Anyone can be investigated and subpoenaed. No one can use the Fifth Amendment in order to not incriminate themselves.
This bill cannot pass. I am extremely concerned that it will pass, though, based on the previous resolutions.
Don’t be scared of the fascists. We have a Constitution that defends and protects us, despite what US elected officials want which is to oppress Americans and invalidate the Constitution. Right now, US elected officials and the Constitution are at odds, and one has to go. It won’t be the Constitution.
VOTE THEM ALL OUT.
If anyone gets called to the Commission to Study Antisemitism, please raise absolute hell. Don’t give an inch. Don’t give them any respect, they deserve none. Let the fascists know who and what they are. Let them know where you stand. Let them know of all the war crimes and the genocide that Israel is perpetrating. Let them know you uphold human rights.
From the river to the sea, may Palestine be free. May the whole world be free.
Protest. Vote 3rd party. BE UNGOVERNABLE. Demand for an Israeli/US embargo. Volunteer. Boycott. Contact your elected officials. Share the stories from Palestine. Share the news from Palestine. Share the history of Palestine. Please extend the same energy to other countries/people facing genocide and atrocities- Sudan, the Congo, West Papua, the Rohingyans, Armenians, and the Uyghurs.