State Senate Threatens Free Expression by Defunding Groups and Denying Contracts Over Political Beliefs

The New York Senate yesterday voted to deny state funding to any student groups, educational organizations, or state contract bidders calling for a boycott of Israel or other “allied nations.” The following statement is attributable to Robert Perry, legislative director of the New York Civil Liberties Union:

“The majority of the bills in this misguided package raise serious First Amendment concerns, while the package as a whole fails to provide real answers to the serious problem of rising hate crimes. Addressing incidents of bias and hostility requires the hard work of building inclusive and tolerant communities, not improperly singling out and silencing a particular political viewpoint.

What’s more, we object to the expedited process by which the legislation was rushed from committee to floor vote in a matter of hours, allowing minimal opportunity for public notice or comment.”