(Cleveland, OH – 3/4/26) – The Northern Ohio chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR- Northern Ohio), responded to Senator Theresa Gavarone’s comment during the Feb. 18th opponent testimony hearing against SB 87 ahead of the Senate vote on the IHRA definition on antisemitism bill. Opponents believe this bill will have a chilling effect of free speech and is unconstitutional.
The letter states,
“We are the Northern Ohio chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), and we are joined by the Ohio Divest Coalition in addressing the Judiciary Committee members’ comments in response to SB 87 opponent testimony on February 18, 2026. We will specifically address comments such as Senator Theresa Gavarone’s statement, in sum and substance, that “when you read the code section on ethnic intimidation and it says no person shall violate any of those sections…‘by reason of race, color, religion, or national origin of another person or group of persons.’ That’s-that’s current law. So, we already say you can’t do these things based on race…or religion. So, the bill just adds a definition. I’m not seeing your-the point that’s being made.”
The letter provides a detailed explanation of the point Senator Gavarone seemed to have missed from the droves of Ohioans opposing the bill.
“First, SN 87 proposes to add a malign definition, i.e., the “examples” crafted to illustrate antisemitism under the IHRA definition include questioning of the political decisions of the state of Israel. The objective of adding the IHRA definition to the Ohio Revised Code is to create a nearly impregnable bulwark forbidding criticism of Israel, the nation, as criticism of and thus “discrimination against” Judaism. This isn’t mere clarification of religious discrimination; it imbues the secular actions of Israel, such as mass murder, war crimes, and genocide, with the mantle of being excusable deeds. The fusion of secular deeds and Zionist religious dogma endangers Jewish people and critically undermines their protection from classic antisemitic discrimination.”
“SB 87’s proposed changes to Ohio Revised Code § 4112.20(A) further redefine “state agency” as “every organized body, office, board, authority, commission, or agency established by the constitution or laws of the state for the exercise of any governmental or quasi-governmental function, regardless of the funding source for that entity.” The proposed changes to O.R.C. § 4112.20(B) continue, providing that: “[i]n reviewing, investigating, or deciding whether there has been a violation of any relevant policy, law, or regulation prohibiting discriminatory acts, a state agency shall take into consideration the definition of antisemitism for purposes of determining whether an alleged act was motivated by discriminatory antisemitic intent.” Under the proposed language of SB 87, as state agencies within the meaning of O.R.C. § 4112.20(A), Ohio law enforcement agencies, as well as the individual officers trained by those agencies, will be instructed to consider the IHRA definition by O.R.C. § 4112.20(B).”
“SB 87 is an affront to the First Amendment of the United States Constitution in the interest of restricting speech about a foreign entity. As part of an interfaith coalition of Ohio residents, we urge you to vote no on Senate Bill 87.”
CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL LETTER
More than 25 Ohioans from across the state testified against the bill in-person, in addition to more than 67 others submitting written testimony. A letter signed by more than 100 Jewish Ohioans opposing SB 87 was submitted to the Senate Judiciary Committee, and more than 600 Ohioans signed the action alert urging Ohio Senators to vote no on the bill.
If passed, SB87 would expand the net of criminalization for speech using the IHRA definition of antisemitism that has been widely criticized as overbroad. Even Kenneth Stern, the principal drafter of the definition, has opposed its use by government agencies.
SB 87’s targeted addition of riot and aggravated riot as qualifying offenses for the ethnic intimidation statute would provide justification for calling law enforcement on a group of five or more people if someone disagrees or dislikes the content of their lawful speech or expression.
The Senate will take a vote on the bill today.
CAIR is America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
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CONTACTS:
CAIR-OH Executive Director, Northern Ohio, Faten Husni Odeh (216) 830-2247, fodeh@cair.com