by: Shani Chabansky on September 27th, 2012 | 3 Comments »
Recently, the California State Assembly passed a bipartisan resolution called HR35 that pressures the UC to take harsh measures on anti-Semitism on campus. The bulk of the resolution targets groups like Students for Justice in Palestine and the Boycott and Divestment Sanctions movement as the main perpetrators of anti-Semitism. Many have criticized HR35 for silencing what is actually free speech.
HR35 is based on a recently-released report on campus climate for Jewish students on the UC. The report similarly asks the UC to stifle groups like Students for Justice in Palestine and the BDS movement under the allegation that criticism of Israel is anti-Semitic. In Rebecca Pierce’s video, students and community member express their deep concerns with the report’s shoddy methodology and silencing of free speech: