The California chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-CA), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today expressed deep disappointment following the passage of AB 715 (Zbur & Addis) in both the State Senate and Assembly. The bill now heads to Governor Gavin Newsom’s desk for consideration.
CAIR-CA and a broad coalition of educators, parents, and civil rights advocates warn that AB 715 will:
· Chill classroom instruction by pressuring teachers to avoid discussion of Palestine, Islamophobia, and other contested topics.
· Blur the line between religion and politics by anchoring enforcement to the controversial IHRA definition of antisemitism, which conflates criticism of Israeli government policies with hatred of Jewish people.
· Invite politicized complaints by imposing vague standards against “advocacy” and “personal opinion,” combined with mandatory investigations and “immediate removal” of contested instructional materials.
“Lawmakers heard overwhelming opposition—8 to 1 from public commenters—and warnings from their own colleagues about the bill’s chilling effect on education. Yet they advanced it anyway,” said CAIR-CA Chief Executive Officer Hussam Ayloush. “This is now Governor Newsom’s test. He can either side with educators, civil rights advocates, and students whose voices are at risk of being silenced—or he can greenlight censorship that will make classrooms less free and less inclusive.”
Five senators and nine assemblymembers abstained from the floor vote—reflecting bipartisan concern about a rushed process, manipulated procedure, and vague language that could invite harassment of teachers. CAIR-CA thanks Senators Choi, Cortese, Gonzalez, Valladares, and Wahab, and Assemblymembers Arambula, Caloza, Elhawary, Garcia, Kalra, Lee, Muratsuchi, Ortega, and Solache for their abstentions and for signaling the need for more thoughtful, inclusive legislation.
Despite those warnings, the bill advanced over the objections of every major statewide education association, including the California Teachers Association, California Faculty Association, California School Boards Association, and California County Superintendents, as well as more than 100 grassroots organizations across the state.
CAIR-CA is now urging Governor Newsom to veto AB 715.
“California has some of the strongest civil rights protections in the country. Real harassment and discrimination must always be addressed—but this bill is not the way,” said Ayloush.
“Governor Newsom should reject this flawed measure and stand with educators and students who deserve classrooms where truth and justice are not censored.”
CAIR-CA is calling on all Californians, from classrooms to communities, to urge the Governor to veto AB 715.
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 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