(CLEVELAND, OH – 12/13/24) – COLUMBUS, OH – December 11, 2024 – On Wednesday, December 11, 2024, in response to the recent passage of Senate Bill 297 (SB 297) by the Ohio Senate, CAIR-Ohio hosted a press conference at the Ohio Statehouse to voice opposition to the bill’s passage. The bill, which conflates anti-Zionism with anti-Semitism, was passed with a 27-4 vote and has raised significant concerns regarding its impact on First Amendment rights.
During the press conference, CAIR-Ohio leadership, including Executive Director Faten Odeh and Khalid Turanni, articulated their concerns and outlined the steps the organization intends to take to challenge the bill. Additionally, during the first hearing in front of the judicial committee, Faten Odeh and Khalid Turanni provided opposing testimony, further emphasizing their disapproval of the bill.
“While the bill (SB297) claims to protect against bigotry, a cause we all support, it instead dangerously undermines our fundamental rights to free speech and political decent. This bill conflates legitime criticism of Israeli government politics with hatred, we all support addressing bigotry, but this bill misses that worthy target and instead advances a dangerous practice, recategorizes criticism of genocide and apartheid, under the guise of combatting bigotry. ” – Executive Director Faten Odeh of CAIR- Cleveland & Northern Ohio
WATCH CAIR-CLEVELAND’S EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S TESTIMONY
Executive Director Khalid Turanni of CAIR-Columbus and Cincinnati states: “So this is not a debate about Anti-Semitism, this is a debate of free speech. As offensive as it may be it is legal in Ohio to burn the American flag, your bill will make it illegal to burn the flag of another country. …. ”
WATCH CAIR-COLUMBUS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TESTIMONY
CAIR-Ohio also took the opportunity to express gratitude towards the four senators who voted against SB 297, acknowledging their commitment to protecting civil liberties and the importance of free speech in a democratic society.
“We are thankful for the senators who stood up for the First Amendment and voted against SB 297. Their courage in the face of significant pressure exemplifies the dedication needed to safeguard our constitutional rights,” said a spokesperson for CAIR-Ohio.
71 written testimonies and more than 15 oral testimonies comprised of members from the ACLU, JVP, OPAWL, Cleveland Peace Action, the Muslim community, the Jewish Community and members of the Christian faith including the United Church of Christ.
Jewish Voice for Peace- Cleveland member, Robin Beth Schaer stated, “We must all be free to critique the policies and actions of any government, Israel included. The definition of antisemitism in the Jerusalem Declaration asserts: the same norms of debate that apply to other states and to other conflicts over national self-determination apply in the case of Israel.” Antisemitism and anti-Zionism are different and equating or using them interchangeably distracts from the actual work of dismantling antisemitism.”
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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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CONTACT: CAIR-Ohio, Cleveland & Northern Ohio Executive Director Faten Odeh, fodeh@cair.com, 216-830-2247, CAIR-Ohio, Columbus & Cincinnati Executive Director Khalid Turaani, kturaani@cair.com, (614) 451-3232