US court dismisses free speech challenge to California’s school antisemitism law

A federal judge dismissed a lawsuit challenging California's AB 715, a law aimed at preventing antisemitism in schools, ruling that the plaintiffs—teachers and students—failed to show free speech violations and that teachers lack First Amendment rights while teaching.

A federal judge in California dismissed a lawsuit that sought to block a state law designed to combat antisemitism in public schools. The law, Assembly Bill 715, took effect in January and establishes an Office of Civil Rights with a statewide antisemitism prevention coordinator. It requires teachers to provide factually accurate instruction and mandates local educational agencies to address discriminatory materials. A group of teachers, students, and the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee challenged the law, claiming it was unconstitutionally vague and chilled speech about Palestinians. US District Judge Noël Wise ruled that the plaintiffs had not provided sufficient evidence of free speech infringements and noted that teachers do not have First Amendment rights while teaching. The judge also dismissed claims that the law would discriminate against non-Jewish students, stating that the antisemitism coordinator does not change the office's broader purpose of stopping discrimination. The Jewish Community Relations Council of San Francisco praised the decision, while the plaintiffs are reviewing their options.