Gov. Tony Evers signed a bill defining antisemitism in Wisconsin statutes, but some in his Democratic Party were not at all happy.
Gov. Tony Evers signed legislation Friday adopting a formal definition of antisemitism into Wisconsin law, providing state and local officials with a tool to identify and combat discrimination against Jews.
The bill, now Wisconsin Act 143, incorporates the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s working definition of antisemitism, including contemporary examples. It directs state agencies, local governments and officials to consider this definition when evaluating discriminatory intent under laws prohibiting bias based on race, religion, color or national origin, and when applying criminal penalty enhancers for hate crimes. The measure is non-binding but offers guidance for investigations and prosecutions.
Supporters, including Jewish advocacy groups, hailed the law as a needed response to rising antisemitic incidents. It passed the Assembly 66-33 in February and cleared the Senate on a voice vote earlier this month. Evers signed it despite urging from dozens of civil liberties and progressive organizations to veto the bill over free-speech concerns.
Left-wing Democrats, including Rep. Francesca Hong (D-Madison)—the leading Democrat candidate for governor—sharply opposed the governor’s decision.
“AB446/SB445 will likely make criticism of the state of Israel a discriminatory offense,” Hong said on social media. “Antisemitism and Islamophobia continue to rise, and I’ve heard from hundreds of constituents that laws like this will not make anyone safer.”
Hong and her fellow Democratic Socialists strongly opposed the measure in the Assembly.
