Taking Action Against Antisemitism and Hate Speech
Take Action by May 16: Write your county supervisor asking them to support the draft Resolution against Antisemitism and All Forms of Hate Speech.
In 2019, we read the news about antisemitic flyers being dropped in several places across Novato. The story identified the flyers as a product of a local antisemitic network based in Petaluma.
Having just moved to Petaluma the year before, we decided to dig deeper. We learned that this network has been active across the nation in spreading mostly anti-Jewish hate along with anti-LBGTQIA+ hate for years. Digging further, we learned that the hate network has multiple businesses registered with the state of California, officially located in Petaluma. One of those locations was mere blocks from our home, at the time near downtown Petaluma. We learned that this hate group thrives off of negative press and that the primary way this local network builds support is through mentions in the news media and social media. They are covered extensively by the Anti Defamation League (ADL) and others who track hate groups.
After sharing some of the news stories with others, we were surprised to learn that locals were unaware that Petaluma is the official business location of a virulent antisemitic network. Since 2019, antisemitism has continued to rise dramatically, with 2020, 2021 and 2022 having seen the most anti-Jewish hate incidents since the ADL began tracking them in 1979.
In talking about this issue with Jewish friends and neighbors, and others in the community, we learned that many people were frightened by the overall rise in anti-Jewish hatred nationally. Many were stunned to learn how close to home such a prominent hate group was located. While many people we spoke are willing to take action, several are unwilling to speak out publicly for fear of being a target of hate attacks.
In 2022, a group of us met to discuss antisemitism locally - to share stories, safety concerns, and to identify actions we could take. One fundamental problem the group identified is that people do not feel that our leaders are really looking out for them, as supportive statements and actions have been very few.
Researching Models for County Action
A member of our group shared with us the success Marin County had in passing a county-wide resolution against antisemitism. We read about their experience in getting this passed, and we agreed this would be a great action to take. Having our leaders, starting with the County, make a strong and inclusive statement against antisemitism and all forms of hate speech, would be a starting point to showing our Jewish community and all communities targeted by hate speech that our leaders do care, and do recognize the fast rising problem of antisemitism locally.
We started by researching the Marin County language and passage, and discussed with those knowledgeable in our group about how to get support for this issue.
Reaching out to County Commissioners
We contacted the Sonoma County Commission on Human Rights to ask for their input. They were quick to respond, and engage with our group to provide us direction on how to get this on the agenda for the Commission. Our group created draft language for a county resolution against Antisemitism and All Forms of Hate Speech and gave a public presentation for the November 22 2022 meeting of the Commission on Human Rights.
During the presentation, we had several members of the public speak up, and strong support from the Commissioners. They indicated they want to meet with us to help refine the language and get this on another agenda soon for action. Working with our Deviled Eggery advisor and Caitlin Quinn, we also presented the information to the Commission on the Status of Women and go the commissions support.
Gaining Community Support
To get the attention of the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors, we knew we would have more success with public support from our community. Our team listed organizations to contact - to ask them for their support of the county to pass such a resolution. We have a wide array of supporters - from religious institutions, public safety groups, businesses, schools and nonprofit groups. We reached out to Once we felt we had a critical mass of support, we reached out to each Supervisor sharing the resolution language, our supporters and asking for space on the agenda and their support to pass the resolution.
We are going to the Board of Supervisors May 16th!
We got responses immediately from supervisors, and with the help of Commissioner Sapper from the Sonoma County Human Rights Commission, we worked with the Board of Supervisors staff to get placed on the agenda. We are now on the May 16th Board of Supervisors agenda!