The California chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-CA), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today reiterated its opposition to Senate Bill 771 (Stern) following the bill’s advancement from the Assembly Appropriations Committee to the Assembly floor. While CAIR-CA acknowledges engagement by the author and sponsors—including amendments clarifying that the bill targets platform algorithms and not user speech—the organization warned that the bill still lacks adequate safeguards to prevent misuse that could chill protected expression.
CAIR-CA remains concerned that SB 771 could incentivize platforms to over-remove lawful content to avoid liability, disproportionately impacting political speech—including criticism of Israeli government policies and advocacy for Palestinian human rights—and, in practice, the voices of Muslim, Arab, and Palestinian Californians. The organization notes that the latest amendments remove the disputed datasets from the Anti-Defamation League’s 2024 Audit of Antisemitic Incidents—datasets that critics say conflate criticism of Israel with antisemitism—underscoring the need for clear, rights-respecting standards.
In a statement, CAIR-CA Legislative and Government Affairs Director Oussama Mokeddem said:
“We appreciate outreach from the author’s staff and recent narrowing language, but as drafted, SB 771 still invites abuse and creates powerful incentives to silence lawful advocacy. Our opposition is principled and focused on protecting the constitutional rights of all Californians, especially marginalized communities.”
CAIR-CA calls on Assemblymembers to condition any floor vote on additional safeguards, including:
- Explicit carve-outs protecting lawful political expression and human-rights advocacy.
- Clear limits to ensure the state does not compel content-based moderation.
- Anti-discrimination and due-process protections to prevent selective or abusive enforcement.
- Narrow, intent-based liability that applies only where a platform knowingly and intentionally targets protected classes under California law.
CAIR-CA remains committed to combating genuine online harassment and threats that translate into real-world harm and stands ready to work with the author, sponsors, and Assembly leadership on inclusive, balanced solutions that address unlawful conduct without undermining free speech.
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.
END
CONTACT: CAIR Greater Los Angeles Area Communications Manager Enjy El-Kadi, 714.851.4851, eelkadi@cair.com; CAIR Sacramento Valley/Central California Communications Contact Tasneem Manjra, 916.441.6469, tmanjra@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