In response to a series of anti-Semitic fliers posted in San Diego neighborhoods and across the state, local lawmakers are proposing a bill that would make the act illegal — and open the door to costly penalties.
The proposal builds on Ralph’s Law, which states that all California residents have the right to be free from violence or intimidation by threat of violence based on personal characteristics such as race, religion or sexual orientation. Assemblyman Chris Ward, who created AB 3024, discussed the Stop Hate Littering Act while surrounded by elected officials and Jewish community leaders during a press conference Friday morning in the community of San Carlos.
Ward’s bill would expand the definition of “intimidation by threat of violence” in that law to include acts of littering, which would include cases where the material is intended to terrorize owners of private property and a complaint is received and verified by local law enforcement or the Attorney General. Department of Civil Rights, Ward said.
“They’re not just pieces of paper with words. These are fliers intended to harass and intimidate members of our community and dehumanize them based on their religion, gender, sexual orientation, race or other characteristics,” Ward said. “They intend to sow division, inciting neighbors to turn against them and fostering a culture of hatred that leads to fear for those targeted and violence against them.
“These actions have no place in our communities.”
An initiative to criminalize these hateful flyers was initially proposed by San Diego City Council member Raul Campillo in response to at least eight incidents of flyers posted in communities including La Jolla, Poway, San Carlos and Del Cerro.
The idea was to draft an ordinance that would make it a crime to litter “with intent to willfully injure, intimidate, interfere, oppress or threaten” anyone based on their “characteristics.” perceived,” which include race, religion, and sexual orientation.
The punishment would have included up to a year in prison and a fine of up to $1,000.
But hate fliers aren’t just a problem in San Diego, Campillo said during Friday’s news conference. He, Ward and other lawmakers decided a statewide approach was best.
If Ward’s bill passes, victims of hate speech could sue for up to $25,000 in penalties and other civil remedies.
“This legislation makes it clear to hate mongers that threatening materials are not just pieces of paper,” said City Attorney Mara Elliott. “Simply distributing hateful leaflets with the aim of intimidating and humanizing people is unacceptable and illegal under this bill. »
Jewish leaders and anti-hate officials applauded the idea. They said incidents such as anti-Semitic leaflets incite hatred and lead to violent attacks against members of the Jewish community.
They also said anti-Semitic incidents are on the rise, as noted in a recent Anti-Defamation League report that found anti-Semitic incidents in 2022 increased by more than a third compared to 2021. Nearly 3,700 acts Anti-Semitic attacks, vandalism and harassment have been recorded across the country. in 2022 – the highest year on record for such incidents since the organization began tracking them in 1979.
“We must do everything we can to denounce this extremist activity and behavior that seeks to make our communities live in fear of hatred and potential violence,” said Anti-Defamation regional director Fabienne Perlov. League in San Diego. “We are here today to show that hateful actions and trespassing are not welcome here in San Diego.”
The bill will be heard at a state committee hearing on April 2.
Staff writer David Garrick contributed to this report.
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