In First, Judge Blocks Kansas Law Aimed at Boycotts of Israel
Source: ACLU press release
IN FIRST, JUDGE BLOCKS KANSAS LAW AIMED AT BOYCOTTS OF ISRAEL
January 30, 2018
TOPEKA, Kan. — The American Civil Liberties Union won an early victory today in its federal lawsuit arguing that a Kansas law requiring a public school educator to certify that she won’t boycott Israel violates her First Amendment rights. ... A federal judge issued a preliminary injunction blocking enforcement of the law while the case filed in October proceeds. It is the first ruling addressing a recent wave of laws nationwide aiming to punish people who boycott Israel.
The law, which took effect on July 1, requires that any person or company that contracts with the state submit a written certification that they are “not currently engaged in a boycott of Israel.” The ACLU is also currently fighting a case filed in December against a similar law in Arizona.
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The ACLU represents Esther Koontz, who belongs to the Mennonite Church USA. In accordance with calls for boycott made by members of her congregation and her church, Koontz decided not to buy consumer products made by Israeli companies and international companies operating in Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories. Koontz participates in this boycott in order to protest the Israeli government’s treatment of Palestinians and to pressure the country to change its policies.
Having served as a public school math teacher for nine years, Koontz now develops her school’s math curriculum and trains teachers on how to implement it. She is also qualified to train teachers statewide as a contractor with the Kansas Department of Education’s Math and Science Partnerships program. When Koontz was asked to certify that she does not participate in a boycott of Israel, she said that she could not sign the form in good conscience. As a result, the state refuses to contract with her, and she is unable to participate as a trainer in the state’s program.
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Today’s ruling is here:
https://www.aclu.org/legal-document/koontz-v-watson-opinion
Also documents filed in the case are here:
https://www.aclu.org/cases/koontz-v-watson-challenge-kansas-law-targeting-boycotts-israel
Read more: https://www.aclu.org/news/first-judge-blocks-kansas-law-aimed-boycotts-israel
Edited to remove the all-caps headline. Forum hosts, is this okay?
Retweeted by AgitatedByJayZHat: https://twitter.com/Popehat
This is such weird legislation that even people who are staunchly opposed to BDS think is ridiculous.
{BDS = The Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions Movement
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boycott,_Divestment_and_Sanctions }
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BREAKING: Federal court blocks enforcement of Kansas law punishing people who boycott Israel — it's a major free speech win, the first against a wave of similar laws.
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When are voters going to wake up ??
