Free Speech Advocates Protest IHRA Bill at New Jersey State House

Speakers at the press conference warned that the IHRA definition mislabels legitimate criticism of Israel as antisemitism, potentially threatening constitutionally protected free speech.

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Participants held banners reading:

• “IHRA CENSORS FREE SPEECH. PROTECT FREE SPEECH. REJECT   IHRA.”

• “NJ COALITION FOR FREE SPEECH SAYS: NO TO CENSORSHIP.   STAND UP FOR DEMOCRACY. PROTECT FREE SPEECH. REJECT   IHRA.”

• “NO IHRA IN NJ.”

Some participants wore gags marked “No IHRA” to symbolize how the bill could silence dissenting voices.

Speakers Included:

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• Jim Sullivan, Deputy Policy Director, ACLU

• Asma Elhuni, Organizer, American Muslims for Palestine NJ

• Chris Sotiro, Deputy Executive Director, CRAN

• Ali Aljarrah, Senior Advisor, CAIR Action

• Charlene Walker, Executive Director, Faith in NJ

• Donna Ristorucci, Member, Jewish Voice for Peace

• Haliema Twam, Civic Engagement & Advocacy Manager, PACC

• Ana Paola, Executive Director, Resistencia en Accion NJ

Representatives from Rutgers University AAUP and NJ Citizen Action were also present, emphasizing broad academic and civic opposition to the bill.

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    When & Where:

• Date: November 6, 2025

• Time: 9:30 AM

• Location: New Jersey State House, 145 West State Street, Trenton, NJ (with livestream available)

About the NJ Coalition for Free Speech:

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The coalition brings together civil liberties, academic, and community organizations across New Jersey, including ACLU of NJ, Rutgers AAUP-AFT, CAIR Action NJ, Jewish Voice for Peace, Make the Road NJ, NJ Citizen Action, NJEA Educators for Palestine, and more. Together, they work to protect free expression, human rights, and democratic principles in the state.

Why This Matters:

Assembly Bill A3558 and Senate companion S1292, if enacted, would legally codify the IHRA definition of antisemitism, which critics argue has been misused to suppress pro-Palestinian activism. Even Kenneth Stern, lead drafter of the IHRA definition, notes it was intended for research purposes and not for legislation. Civil liberties and human rights groups—including ACLU, Center for Constitutional Rights, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and even some pro-Israel voices like J Street and New Jewish Narrative—have criticized its codification into law.

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About CAIR Action NJ:

CAIR Action NJ, an affiliate of CAIR Action (a 501(c)(4) organization), engages and mobilizes Muslim voters, trains emerging leaders, and champions policy priorities that strengthen representation and well-being for Muslim communities in New Jersey.

Editorial Note – Adam Rizvi / The India Observer:

As Editor-in-Chief of The India Observer, I continue to cover stories shaping civic discourse in New Jersey. This event underscores the importance of protecting free speech and democratic values in our state