Wellstone Progressive Democrats of Sacramento

Thursday July 3rd at 7:00 pm via zoom – David Mandel from

Jewish Voice of Peace will speak about AB 715 that

will be heard in the Senate Education Committee next

week on July 9th

Time: Jul 3, 2025 07:00 PM Pacific Time

Join Zoom Meeting here

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87918697295?pwd=dy85L0ZBdmJhQ2lFcG5NVXlkYmYwQT09

Meeting ID: 879 1869 7295
Passcode: 703395

Dial by your location
• +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
• +1 669 444 9171 US

Meeting ID: 879 1869 7295
Passcode: 703395

June Minutes

Please scroll down below to get more information on how you can oppose AB 715. (You can make phone calls, write a letter via the position portal, email the Senate Education Committee members, and attend the hearing on July 9th at 8:00 to state your opposition. )

RSVP and let us know you’re coming! bit.ly/JUL9AB715

On Wednesday, July 9th, the CA Senate Education Committee will be holding a hearing on AB 715, a dangerous piece of legislation that will threaten teachers, attack public education, and censor classroom material and discussion about Palestine in K-12 schools. CAIR, AROC, JVP, and the many organizations with the CA Coalition to Defend Public Education are calling on communities to pack the house and demand that decision makers say NO to this harmful and repressive censorship bill.

Hearing Date and Location:
– Wed, July 9, 2025 @ 8AM

– 1021 O St, Room 2100, Sacramento, CA

You can also submit comments to the Senate Education Committee in advance via the position letter portal below:

Make Calls TODAY to Oppose AB 715!

Phone numbers of the Senate Education Committee below

Sen. Mike McGuire, Senate President Pro Tempore (SD 2)
(916) 651-4002

Sen. Renee Sasha Perez, Chair of Senate Education Committee, Latino Caucus, and LGBTQ Caucus (SD 25)
(916) 651-4025

Sen. Roscilici Ochoa Bogh, Vice Chair of Senate Education Committee (SD 19)
(916) 651-4019

Sen. Christopher Cabaldon, API Caucus, LGBT Caucus, and Senate Education Committee (SD 3)
(916) 651-4003

Sen. Lena Gonzalez, Senate Majority leader, Chair Latino Caucus, and Senate Education Committee (SD 33)
(916) 651-4033

Sen. Steven Choi, Senate Education Committee (SD 37)
(916) 651-4037

Sen. David Cortese, Senate Education Committee
(916) 651-4015

Sen. Eloise Gomez Reyes, Senate Education Committee and Latino Caucus (SD 29)
(916) 651-4029

URGENT ACTION FOR CALIFORNIA RESIDENTS!! TIME SENSITIVE

Urgent Action 1: https://actionnetwork.org/letters/tell-your-ca-senator-to-stop-the-antizionism-antisemitism-bill
And send a letter to the

Urgent Action 2: Write a letter to the Senate Education Committee via the position portal.  Note that you have to register to use this portal – either as a registered lobbyist, an individual affiliated with an organization or as an individual.

—— sample letter, feel free to adjust/customize
June 3, 2025

Senator Sasha Renée Pérez
Chair, Senate Education Committee
1021 O Street, Suite 6740, Sacramento, CA 95814

RE: AB 715 (Zbur & Addis) – Oppose

Dear Chair Perez,
I write to you in strong opposition to AB 715, and I respectfully urge you to oppose this bill. If passed, this legislation will have a severe chilling effect on what California public school teachers are allowed to teach, and what our students are allowed to learn in K-12 classrooms. AB 715 threatens to suppress educational materials about global issues of critical importance generally, and about Palestine, the Palestinian people, and the state of Israel specifically.

AB715, a hastily created bill after its predecessor AB1468 was withdrawn due to strong opposition from over 30 organizations including the California Teachers Association (CTA), CA School Boards Association (CSBA), Association of CA School Administrators (ACSAS), California Latino School Board Association (CLSBA), Asian Pacific School Board Members Association, is far worse.

Vote NO on ABC 715z
Sincerely, XXX
Name
[City], CA [Zipcode]

Here’s the link to the Position Letter Portal:   https://calegislation.lc.ca.gov/Advocates

Background info:
AB 715 has now advanced to the California Senate and WE NEED TO STOP IT HERE AND NOW. At the core of AB 715 is the weaponization of California’s Uniform Complaint Procedures, which allows students and families to report incidents of discrimination in schools. Under AB 715, educators and school staff could face punishment simply for discussing the history and current events surrounding Israel and Palestine, particularly when those discussions include critical perspectives on the actions of the Israeli government in Gaza. PLEASE SHARE WITH AT LEAST 15 OF YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY! ALL HANDS ON DECK

Press Release from the Arab American Caucus:

We are sharing with you the Caucus’s press release on AB 715, a dangerous bill that censors speech in the classroom, especially on the issue of Palestine. We urge you to take a minute to contact your California representatives and ask them to oppose this bill by going to the following link:  Stop AB 715—No Censorship of Palestine in California Schools | Take Action Now – Arab American Civic Council

The Arab American Caucus Urges Legislators to Oppose AB 715 – A Threat to Educational Freedom and Inclusive Curriculum

Sacramento, CA — The Arab American Caucus of the California Democratic Party strongly opposes Assembly Bill 715, introduced by Assemblymembers Rick Chavez Zbur and Dawn Addis. This bill threatens to impose harmful restrictions on K-12 public education by censoring classroom content, particularly discussions surrounding global human rights issues and the Palestinian experience.

If passed, AB 715 would impose a chilling effect on California educators, limiting their ability to teach accurately and inclusively about international events and marginalized communities. The legislation appears to target critical discourse around Palestine, effectively silencing the voices of students and teachers advocating for academic freedom and social justice.

“This bill is not just a policy issue—it’s a civil rights issue,” said Mirvette Judeh, Chairwoman of the Arab American Caucus. “By stifling educators’ ability to teach about Palestine and other international struggles, AB 715 undermines ethnic studies, distorts historical truth, and violates the principles of a free and equitable education.”

AB 715 directly conflicts with California’s existing Ethnic Studies Model Curriculum, which is designed to elevate historically marginalized voices, including Arab American, Palestinian, and other communities. The Arab American Caucus urges lawmakers to consider the long-term implications of this bill on public trust, cultural competency, and educational equity.

“We call on fellow Democratic leaders, educators, students, and community organizations across the state to stand against censorship and protect the integrity of our classrooms,” Judeh added.

The Arab American Caucus stands in solidarity with teachers, civil rights advocates, and educational organizations statewide in calling for the immediate withdrawal of AB 715. It is imperative that California remains a leader in inclusive, accurate, and empowering public education for all.

About the Arab American Caucus

The Arab American Caucus is a chartered organization within the California Democratic Party, dedicated to amplifying the voices of Arab Americans, promoting civic engagement, and advocating for equity and justice across all levels of government and public policy

Thursday, June 5th at 7:00 pm via zoom

Wellstone June General Membership Meeting –

Thursday, June 5th at 7:00 pm via zoom

Delegates who attended the CA Democratic Convention in Anaheim

will share their experiences and answer questions.

Time: Jun 5, 2025 07:00 PM Pacific Time

Join Zoom Meeting here

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87918697295?pwd=dy85L0ZBdmJhQ2lFcG5NVXlkYmYwQT09

Meeting ID: 879 1869 7295
Passcode: 703395

Dial by your location
• +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
• +1 669 444 9171 US

Meeting ID: 879 1869 7295
Passcode: 703395

May Meeting Minutes

Urgent need to stop AB 715

A dangerous bill—AB 715— passed the California Assembly last week

under the gut and amend bill process that did not allow proper public

input. It will go to the State Senate next. This bill would censor teachers

and students who speak about Palestine in K-12 classrooms. It must be

stopped.

Please send a letter here: https://actn.et/Cm7pJJi0

Thank you!