California lawmakers are again attempting to set the groundwork for limiting religious beliefs and silencing those with differing opinions, beginning with law enforcement.
Enter AB655
San Jose's Assembly Member Ash Kalra recently introduced a bill, AB-655, that, if passed, would ban police officers from serving their communities if they have used "hate speech" or are associated with any "hate groups."
The California Law Enforcement Accountability Reform Act or CLEAR Act states its purpose is to fight "the infiltration of extremists in our law enforcement agencies."
To achieve this, the bill would require a background check for all in law enforcement who have "exchanged racist and homophobic messages."
The bill's writer says it is vital to stop additional events like the Jan. 6 Capitol infiltration, which had "the apparent cooperation, participation, and support of some law enforcement."
Opposition To The CLEAR Act
Opponents of the bill are concerned with how the bill will be used. It says hate speech is "as advocating or supporting the denial of constitutional rights of, the genocide of, or violence towards, any group of persons based upon race, ethnicity, nationality, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, or disability.”
On the surface, it is a bill that is easy to agree with. However, Pacific Justice Institute Senior Staff Attorney Matthew McReynolds is concerned that the bill's definition is too broad-based. The bill can allow Christians and conservatives to be called "hateful" if they do not approve of abortion or support same-sex marriage.
McReynolds also pointed out that the Muslim faith could be greatly affected by this bill since their mosques and followers have a solid anti-homosexuality stance.
“Under the guise of addressing police gangs, the bill at the same time launches an inexplicable, unwarranted, and unprecedented attack on peaceable, conscientious officers who happen to hold conservative political and religious views.” wrote Reynolds.
“Indeed, this is one of the most undisguised and appalling attempts we have ever seen, in more than 20 years of monitoring such legislation, on the freedom of association and freedom to choose minority viewpoints.”
Matthew McReynolds
Between the Lines
While officers are public servants, they do not automatically forfeit their rights to having an opinion, and they are entitled to their religious beliefs.
The concerning part of this is that legislators will start disallowing law enforcement to hold opinions different from the majority and move on to everyone else.
Heading towards goverment control more and more.
We are there already, you just do not feel it.
Get a job somewhere else, let them fend for themselves, that will be a ride awakening.
This id so pathetic do as i say or get in trouble well i say screw you dems
If AB655 is enacted, it means law officers have lost their right to freedom of speech and religion. Next it will be applied to many American citizens.
Hey! This is still America, isn’t it! I realize the democratic socialist agenda denigrates religion
and would, like Hitler, prefer that they be considered God & socialism/fascism the only religion. Muslims, Jews & Christians & other religions no have historically been free to worship in America - with America being based on Christianity from the beginning. Many of us hold conservative views & will continue to do so.
B S
California LEGISTIVE need to pass a bill required them to learn what the CONSTITUTION LAWS MEAN! NOT WHAT THEY THINK IT MEAN! Make that HB656! It not just a two way street! The law REQUIRED them to follow it as WELL. UNLESS they are running the State AS AN TYRANNY GOVERNMENT! Then the police force and the people has the right to REMOVE THEM! That is what the CONSTITUTION LAWS say in the SECOND AMENDMENT RIGHTS!
Move out of that commie state, plenty of jobs where you will be respected.
That is easier said then done. I am 82 and have no family left. I live in Lodi which is very nice but a few miles one direction is Stockton and the other direction is Sacramento and both are nothing like Lodi. I stay in Lodi and do not go elsewhere as Lodi feels safe.
I do not agree with the politics here at all but try to let them go in one ear and out the other.
all people running for office: need to take a course REF: the U.S. and state,s Constitution, Bill of Rights ans Federalist Papers and pass them all by 80% before they can file for any office. Law Enforcement and military have to take test,s o be employed. those who legislate and make policy for law enforcement and military ought to have an inkling of what they are saying and trying o do. Those of us that have and still are serving deserve better than this
It seems to me --that members of the Calif leg. has not read the U S Constitution --or they would not write such stooped comments. What the state pop should do --is kick these people out who have not read the U S Constitution or the Declaration of Independence. All their comments will be shot down by the US Suprme Court--or maybe we should kick them out of the US Congress--they are suppose to be working for us not the commies of China and Russia.
Every officer in California should stay home for about a month. After all the illegals ran sack the state they will be begging for the officers to please come back to work.
Good idea, and no aid from other states either or government aid. Let them rot in their own manure,
they are worthy of it.
Well, the commiecrats will try anything to shut up opposition. I'll wait and watch and laugh as they put their social workers out there fighting criminals. They'll reap what they've sown with not a tear from me since it'll be just desserts.
That sounds like the McCarthy hearings from days gone by.. Remember them???
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