New Florida law could criminalize recent anti-Semitic propaganda

PALM BEACH COUNTY, Florida. Incidents of anti-Semitic messages and leaflets continue to occur around the world. Palm Beach County in recent weeks.

“I am very upset and outraged by this. I’ve dealt with anti-Semitism from time to time throughout my life,” the Atlantean resident told WPTV after what he said was a flyer with anti-Semitic messages thrown into his driveway. “It hit me hard, not only because I’m Jewish, but also as a gay.”

In January alone, several acts of anti-Semitism were reported in Boca Raton, West Palm Beach and Atlantis.

Daniel Seeth / WPTV

The man believed to be part of a group responsible for at least some of the anti-Semitic propaganda was arrested last week. But a few days later, Atlanteans told WPTV that more flyers had appeared on their doorsteps.

State Attorney Dave Aronberg said a recently introduced bill would allow law enforcement to arrest individuals who spread hate messages, including flyers, and make such trash a criminal offense.

“What the bill is trying to do is criminalize some of the most serious abuses by these groups,” Aronberg said. “It admits that in some cases, garbage will be a crime. Then if you litter with hate material, that would be a hate crime.”

Daniel Seeth / WPTV

The legislation will increase penalties for some laws that are already in place and create new ones, in particular for those who harass or harass someone because of religious clothing, damage or block entry to places of worship, making it a crime third degree felony.

Projecting hateful images onto private property without the written consent of the owner is also a felony in the third degree.

“If we don’t do something now, we could have 1933 Nazi Germany again,” said R-West Palm Beach Rep. Michael Caruso. “I will not stand here and do nothing. I will not be complacent and will not sit idle.

Meanwhile, Rabbi Boruch Liberov of the Chabad Student Center said he teaches the students he works with how to cope.

“It’s very scary and confusing, but right after that we’re actually even more proud of who we are, proud of what we stand for. And in fact, it is moments like these that make us even stronger and stronger. make us even more proud.”