BOYCOTT IS FREE SPEECH

Last spring 30 organizations joined to urge the repeal of MN Statutes 3.226 and 16C.053, which prohibit boycotts of Israel by those contracting to do business with the State of Minnesota. This resulted in the introduction of two repeal bills: in the Senate SF 3356 and in the House HF 3258.

Repealing anti-boycott laws has never been done, efforts in all 38 states to overturn their own anti-boycott laws have failed. WE CAN DO THIS in Minnesota. For months we have been developing a plan to move these repeal bills forward–first to committee and then to the floor for a vote–in this legislative session.

Let’s get these terrible, anti-democratic laws overturned!  Lurking before the House is an additional anti-boycott bill restricting boycott as a measure to protest mining and lumber interests, Big Ag; and next? Possibly data centers, polluting industries, gun and weapons manufacturers. The slope is slipping.

What we need now is a concerted effort to show up and demand REPEAL. We are asking all coalition partners to mobilize their memberships to do the following:

1. SAVE THE DATE: WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 4th for a community engagement workshop co-hosted by Reviving the Islamic Sisterhood forEmpowerment (RISE) and the MN BDS Community. We will hear from repeal-sponsoring legislators and receive training on how to contact legislators.  Due to safety concerns in the midst of the ICE military occupation we have moved the workshop online, from 5:30 to 7:00 pm.  Register here for the zoom link.

2. SAVE THE DATE: THURSDAY MARCH 5th for a Rotunda rally and citizen lobbying at the Capitol. Co-hosted by JVP, RISE, and MN BDS Community. ALL DAY, come when you can. Rotunda rally 10am to 12noon.

3. Designate a representative (or two) from your organization for immediate and close contact, if needed. This will probably be the person(s) engaging your membership’s participation.

4. Encourage all members to contact their legislators to urge a YES vote on REPEAL. Use this form to record responses, this is important so we can track areas of the state that still need constituents organized.

5. Questions? Set up a zoom meeting with us for more explanation and details.  Very simple and quick! A couple of meetings, instructions to your members (includes talking points!), a day on the Capitol with your fellow activists exercising free speech rights.

Let us know asap your capacity. We appreciate everyone’s intense schedules and hard work; we have built this campaign so your group can slide in easily.