The Ohio chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Ohio) today is calling on community members and allies to demand that Ohio House lawmakers vote NO on Senate Bill 87, a dangerous and unprecedented threat to free speech that opens the door to policing dissent, punishing peaceful protest, and stripping away civil liberties across Ohio.
TAKE ACTION NOW!
Tell your Ohio House member: Vote NO on SB 87. Protect free speech. Protect our rights.
SB 87, which has already passed the Ohio Senate, goes far beyond addressing antisemitism. The bill would codify the controversial International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism along with its vague and overbroad “contemporary examples” into Ohio law, while also expanding the state’s ethnic intimidation statute to include riot and aggravated riot.
CAIR unequivocally rejects antisemitism and stands firmly against all forms of hatred, bigotry, and discrimination targeting Jewish communities or any other group. However, SB 87 does not combat hate it weaponizes the law to suppress constitutionally protected speech.
In 2024, CAIR Ohio opposed similar legislation, raising serious concerns about vague definitions and threats to protected expression. SB 87 ignores those concerns and doubles down.
In a statement, CAIR-Ohio Executive Director Faten Husni Odeh said:
“Lawmakers must reject SB 87. This bill does not protect communities; it punishes dissent. It empowers the state to police speech, target peaceful protest, and criminalize criticism of Israel. Ohioans will not accept laws that trade away their First Amendment rights for political convenience. Vote NO.”
CAIR-Ohio is urging all Ohio residents to take immediate action and contact their representatives.