Enacts the New York state antisemitism vandalism act which establishes the crime of vandalism of pro-Israel print, which provides a class A misdemeanor for any individual who intentionally destroys, damages, removes, or causes to be destroyed, damaged or removed any banner, poster, flyer or billboard which is located in a public space, where the intent or purpose of such banner, poster, flyer or billboard is to bring awareness for Israeli individuals who have been victims of a crime, or to positively support the country or citizens of Israel in any way.
NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A3951
SPONSOR: Norber TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the penal law, in relation to enacting the "New York
state antisemitism vandalism act"
PURPOSE:
To make it unlawful for individuals to knowingly destroy, damage, remove
any banner, poster, flyer, or billboard which is in a public space
and/or is pro-Israel.
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS::
Section 1. establishes the act as the New York State Antisemitism
Vandalism Act." Section 2. amends the penal law by adding a new section
240.80.
Section 3. effective date,
JUSTIFICATION::
After the attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, hundreds of flyers
appeared in many communities. These flyers showed the faces of Israeli
hostages and included the plea that they were returned to their homes,
families and friends.
Within hours, or in some cases, minutes of going up, many of them had
been defaced, or ripped down. These flyers were torn to obscure the
victims' faces, some were defaced with messages of hate.
These flyers which were on public spaces all over the world were part of
a grassroots effort to raise awareness of the approximately 200 hostages
being held by Names. There have been posters printed in dozens of
languages raising awareness of the hate-crime of Antisemitism.
This bill is intended to punish those who engage in the crime of defac-
ing pro-Israel literature designed to help raise awareness of the plight
of hostages in Gaza, and the whole of Jews around the world, while
combatting antisemitism.
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY::
New Bill.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None.
EFFECTIVE DATE::
This act shall take effect immediately.
