Sacramento, CA – Governor Newsom has signed Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan’s (D-Orinda) AB 2282, which equalizes penalties for using three symbols commonly utilized to terrorize minority groups. The presence of the Nazi swastika, noose, and desecrated cross all terrorize communities, and yet current law metes out different criminal penalties for the use of each symbol.
“Hate symbols are violent, terrifying, and should be punished equally,” said Assemblymember Bauer-Kahan. “With hate crimes increasing across the state, it is critical to recognize the power and destructiveness of these symbols, and restrict their use equally.”
AB 2282 makes the criminal penalties the same for using each symbol and increases the locations where they are banned to include K-12 schools, colleges, cemeteries, places of worship, places of employment, private property, public parks, public spaces, and public facilities.
“We’re thrilled that we are making history in California with historic language recognizing the significance of the swastika with the signature of AB 2282.” Said Managing Director of the Hindu American Foundation, Samir Kalra, Esquire. “We thank Assemblymember Bauer-Kahan for her continued leadership on this issue. This is historic legislation to better protect the religious practices of Hindus, Jains, Buddhists, and Zoroastrians.”
By updating this code, California ensures that individuals who spread terror are punished to the proper and full extent of the law, regardless of the symbol used to demonstrate hate.
