CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE—
2019–2020 REGULAR SESSION
Assembly Joint Resolution
No. 23
Introduced by Assembly Member Mathis
(Coauthors: Assembly Members Choi, Cunningham, Diep, Fong, Gallagher, Kiley, Lackey, Melendez, Obernolte, Patterson, Voepel, and Waldron)
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September 03, 2019 |
Relative to domestic terrorism.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
AJR 23, as introduced, Mathis.
Domestic terrorism.
This measure would call for groups and organizations across the United States who act under the banner of Antifa to be designated as domestic terrorist organizations, would unequivocally condemn the violent actions of Antifa groups as unacceptable acts for anyone in the United States, would express the need for peaceful communication of varied ideas, and would urge any group or organization in the United States to voice its opinions without using violence or threatening the health, safety, or well-being of other persons, groups, or law enforcement officers in the United States. The measure would further call upon the President of the United States, the United States Congress, and the Governor to redouble efforts, using all available and appropriate tools, to combat the spread of all forms of domestic terrorism, including White supremacist terrorism.
Digest Key
Fiscal Committee:
NO WHEREAS, Members of Antifa, because they believe that free speech is equivalent to violence, have used threats of violence in the pursuit of suppressing opposing political ideologies; and
WHEREAS, Antifa represents opposition to the democratic ideals of peaceful assembly and free speech for all; and
WHEREAS, Members of Antifa have physically assaulted journalists and other individuals during protests and riots in Berkeley, California; and
WHEREAS, In February 2018, journalist Andy Ngo was intimidated and threatened with violence by protestors affiliated with Antifa; and
WHEREAS, On June 29, 2019, while covering demonstrations in Portland, Oregon, journalist Andy Ngo was physically attacked by protestors affiliated with Antifa; and
WHEREAS, Employees of the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) were subjected to doxxing and violent threats after their social media profiles, phone numbers, and home addresses were posted on the internet by left-wing activists; and
WHEREAS, According to the Wall Street Journal, an ICE officer was followed by left-wing activists and “confronted when he went to pick up his daughter from summer camp,” and another “had his name and photo plastered on flyers outside his home accusing him of being part of the ‘Gestapo’”; and
WHEREAS, The ICE office in southwest Portland, Oregon, was shut down for days due to threats and occupation by Antifa members; and
WHEREAS, Rose City Antifa, an Antifa group founded in 2007 in Portland, Oregon, explicitly rejects the authority of law enforcement officers in the United States, and federal, state, and local governments, to protect free speech and stop acts of violence; and
WHEREAS, Rose City Antifa rejects the civil treatment of individuals the group labels as fascists, stating: “We can’t just argue against them; we have to prevent them from organizing by any means necessary”; and
WHEREAS, There is no place for violence in the discourse between people in the United States, or in any civil society, because the United States is a place where there is a diversity of ideas and opinions; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Assembly and the Senate of the State of California, jointly, That the Legislature hereby:
(1) Calls for the groups and organizations across the United States who act under the banner of Antifa to be designated as domestic terrorist organizations.
(2) Unequivocally condemns the violent actions of Antifa groups as unacceptable acts for anyone in the United States.
(3) Expresses the need for the peaceful communication of varied ideas in the United States.
(4) Urges any group or organization in the United States to voice its opinions without using violence or threatening the health, safety, or well-being of any other
persons, groups, or law enforcement officers in the United States.
(5) Encourages the President of the United States, the United States Congress, and the Governor to redouble efforts, using all available and appropriate tools, to combat the spread of all forms of domestic terrorism, including White supremacist terrorism; and be it further
Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the President and Vice President of the United States, to the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, to the Majority Leader of the United States Senate, to each Senator and Representative from California in the Congress of the United States, to the Governor, and to the author for appropriate distribution.