The Council on American-Islamic Relations of New Jersey (CAIR-NJ) today calls on Gov. Phil Murphy to veto Bill A4652 / S3507, a deeply flawed piece of legislation that threatens the fundamental democratic rights of free speech and peaceful assembly. The bill passed by the New Jersey legislature on March 24, 2025, and is on Governor Murphy’s desk.
ACT NOW – URGE GOV. MURPHY TO VETO A4652 / S3507
The bill, introduced by Assemblyman Dan Hutchison (D-LD4) and Sen. Paul D. Moriarty (D-LD4), was framed as a response to public unrest and aimed at improving law enforcement preparedness following a disturbance at a carnival in East Brunswick on May 18, 2023, which involved an armed robbery and attempted murder by a 15-year-old teen.
Experts warn the bill uses vague, subjective language that could suppress protests and criminalize dissent. It would make it a disorderly person’s offense to organize or join a protest of just four or more people if it “offends the sensibilities of a hearer,” giving law enforcement broad power to target peaceful demonstrators—especially those from marginalized communities.
READ MORE: What sparked that problematic legislation?
In a statement, CAIR-NJ Government Affairs Associate Maheen Mumtaz said:
“If signed into law, Bill A4652 / S3507 would not just chill free speech—it would put it in a deep freeze. This bill is a direct threat to our constitutional rights and paves the way for dangerous government overreach. By criminalizing peaceful protest based on vague and subjective language, it hands law enforcement a tool to silence marginalized communities and suppress movements for justice.
From the civil rights era to today’s fight for racial and social equity, peaceful protest has been a cornerstone of progress. This legislation threatens to roll back decades of hard-won freedoms. We call on Gov. Murphy to stand on the right side of history and veto this bill immediately and unequivocally.”
BACKGROUNDER
Legislation that restricts assembly and protest in the name of public order has historically been used to silence dissent—particularly during times of civil rights activism and anti-war protests. Civil liberties organizations across the country have raised red flags about similarly worded bills that leave room for subjective interpretation by law enforcement. In this case, the language around what constitutes “offending the sensibilities” is especially troubling, as it could be weaponized against peaceful demonstrators based solely on viewpoint, content, or identity. CAIR-NJ warns that the passage of such a bill would set a dangerous precedent in a state that has long prided itself on civic engagement and political expression.
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
CONTACT: CAIR-NJ Communications Manager Aya Elamroussi, 551-208-5482, aelamroussi@cair.com
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