Right now in New York, the ADL and Governor Kathy Hochul are trying to pass a mask ban “to protect Jewish people.”¹

This is happening in states across the country: bills that curb free speech, increase surveillance, and fuel authoritarianism are being promoted in the false name of Jewish safety.

But we can defeat them. From New York to Ohio to California to our nation’s capital, Bend the Arc is fighting every day to block mask bans, deportations, and free speech restrictions that don’t make anyone — including Jews — safer.

There hasn’t been a time in recent history where Jewish safety has been used so widely to take away our democratic freedoms.

But we can learn from Bend the Arc leaders in New York how to build a groundswell of opposition, including months of advocacy (photos below!), trainings on antisemitism, and organizing in solidarity with Jewish partners like Jews for Mask Rights and JFREJ, civil rights organizations, and public health groups.

Bend the Arc leaders drive hundreds of calls,

do lobby visits across the city,

join sign-on letters, and more.

We know Trump, Republicans, and even Jewish groups who endorse enforcement-based solutions to antisemitism will continue to try to use Jewish safety for their own gain.

We know that these approaches endanger our democracy and will never make our communities safer.

Bend the Arc is organizing Jews and allies to say not in our name. Donate today to join thousands of Jews and allies around the country in the fight to dismantle antisemitism and strengthen our democracy.

If you're in New York: here’s how to call your state senator and assembly members to tell them to oppose this mask ban.

In solidarity,

Jillian Lipman 
Antisemitism Campaign Manager, Bend the Arc

Sources:
1. Gov. Hochul drops bid for new crime of 'masked harassment' in NY budget talks, Gothamist