Assemblymember Chris Ward on Friday introduced state legislation that would stop the antisemitic flyers that have been passed out in many San Diego communities over the past year.
Ward was joined by San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria, Councilmember Raul Campillo and City Atty. Mara Elliott at a press conference to announce Assembly Bill 3024 — the “Stop Hate Littering Act.”
At least eight instances of anti-Semitic flyers being distributed on car windshields in San Diego neighborhoods were documented in 2023. Also in 2023, anti-Armenian hate flyers were distributed throughout neighborhoods in Los Angeles, and more recently, hate flyers were distributed in Fresno.
“These are not just pieces of paper with words,” said Ward. “These are deliberate, targeted attacks that are intended to harass and intimidate victims, dehumanizing them based on their religion, gender or sexual orientation, or other characteristic.
“They are being left on our windshields, in our driveways, and on our front doors. They have no place in our communities,” he said.
Hate littering has proven hard for law enforcement to prosecute because of a legal grey area. Ward’s bill would update existing law to ensure victims are provided adequate protections, civil recourse, and create new legal tools for law enforcement to hold offenders accountable and deter hate act activity.
The legislation would build on California’s Ralph Act of 1976, which states that all persons have the right to be free from violence and intimidation.
Many of the incidents have been in Campillo’s District 7, which has a large Jewish population and is home to three synagogues. He has sponsored a local ordinance to stop the hate littering.
“Antisemitism and hate of all forms are not welcome in San Diego or anywhere in California — period,” said Campillo. “I’m pleased that we have been able to take this important legislation statewide, rather than just in the city of San Diego, so that we are able to protect as many people as possible.”
The Stop Hate Littering Act will be heard in the Assembly Judiciary Committee in early April.