The California chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-CA) today welcomed Governor Gavin Newsom’s recent decision to veto Senate Bill (SB) 771 (Stern), ensuring that efforts to address online harm remain consistent with the First Amendment and maintain California’s legacy of leading the nation in protecting civil liberties.
SEE: Gov. Newsom SB 771 Veto Message
SB 771 is a social media censorship bill that sought to impose civil liability on social media companies for failing to act against “willful and reckless” dissemination of hate-related content on their platforms.
CAIR-CA and allied civil rights organizations warned that without clear definitions and explicit constitutional protections, the measure would pressure social media companies to over-censor their users, particularly Muslim, Arab, and Palestinian Californians. This includes preemptively removing lawful political speech—such as legitimate criticism of the state of Israel or support for Palestinian human rights—out of fear of litigation.
In a statement, CAIR-CA CEO Hussam Ayloush said:
“We welcome Governor Newsom’s veto of SB 771 and echo his recognition of the importance of preserving constitutionally protected speech on social media platforms while continuing the fight against hate.
“We all share the goal of addressing hate-fueled violence and discrimination, but California must lead by example by crafting solutions that protect vulnerable groups while reaffirming our state’s unwavering commitment to free speech.
“This veto affirms that the solution to online hate cannot come at the cost of silencing communities who are already disproportionately targeted—especially those raising their voices against Israel’s genocide and ongoing violence in Gaza and the West Bank.”
In a statement, CAIR-CA Legislative and Government Affairs Director Oussama Mokeddem said:
“The Governor’s veto reflects a critical understanding that protecting Californians from hate cannot mean curbing their constitutional right to speak out on issues of justice. This outcome highlights the importance of thoughtful policies that strengthen safety and equity without undermining free expression. We look forward to working with the Legislature and the administration on future solutions that achieve both.”
CAIR-CA previously expressed concerns about the risks that SB 771 posed to Californians. In a veto request letter submitted last month, CAIR-CA emphasized that, even after recent amendments replacing contested Anti-Defamation League data with California Department of Justice statistics, the bill still lacked explicit protections for political speech and risked punishing legitimate advocacy and dissent.
Governor Newsom’s veto message echoed many of CAIR-CA’s concerns, acknowledging that SB 771’s broad liability framework could lead to over-removal of lawful content and unintended consequences for communities engaging in political speech.
CAIR-CA remains committed to working with lawmakers, civil rights organizations, and affected communities to draft and implement policies that effectively address online hate while protecting civil liberties.
CAIR-CA is a chapter of CAIR, America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
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CONTACT: CAIR Greater Los Angeles Area Communications Manager Enjy El-Kadi, (714) 851-4851, eelkadi@cair.com; CAIR Sacramento Valley/Central California Communications Director Zaid Hisham, (916) 441-6269, zhisham@cair.com; CAIR San Diego Executive Director Tazheen Nizam, (760) 201-7626, tnizam@cair.com; CAIR San Francisco Bay Area Communications Manager Lorrie Adam, (408) 498-5779, ladam@cair.com