Letters: AB 715 would stifle speech in classrooms

"Daniel Klein claims AB 715 will make California public schools safer for Jewish students. But this harmful bill, being considered by the state Senate, will instead censor discussion of Palestine in our state's schools. Every student deserves full and equal protection from racism and bullying, but AB 715 requires a statewide "Antisemitism Coordinator" to enforce it, with no coordinator to protect Islamic, Palestinian, Black, Latino, Native American, Asian-Pacific Islander, female or LGBTQ students."

"You know, it would be very cool if I were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Have I ever done anything in my life to deserve such an elevated honor? No. Not even close. Perhaps I do have one qualification for that prestigious award. I have lived a more ethical life than Donald Trump, who states repeatedly that he is entitled to the prize. I am not at the head of a government for which cruelty to vulnerable people is the point."

AB 715 would censor discussion of Palestine in California public schools and establish a statewide "Antisemitism Coordinator" without equivalent coordinators for Islamic, Palestinian, Black, Latino, Native American, Asian-Pacific Islander, female, or LGBTQ students. Thousands of Jewish Voice for Peace members oppose AB 715, and other Jewish organizations and the California Teachers' Association oppose it. One writer states lack of qualification for a Nobel Peace Prize while asserting greater personal ethics than Donald Trump and criticizing a government that practices cruelty toward vulnerable people. Another letter raises concern that deploying troops in Washington, D.C., is a step toward militarization.

Read at The Mercury News