Hello Everyone,

Passing on today’s alert from the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) asking you to take action to oppose these two identical bills moving forward in the WI State Legislature. Please circulate it broadly.

This legislation, like similar bills being pushed all over the US, has very little (if anything) to do with fighting anti-Semitism and everything to do with stopping or even criminalizing criticism of Israel.

This alert was triggered by the procedural shenanigans being employed in the State Senate today, BUT it is critical to take action NOW as we prepare for the bill to possibly advance through both chambers and ultimately be sent to the Governor’s desk.

So do two things: (1) send an email to your legislators using the first tab, and (2) CALL the Governor at one of the numbers below.

Thanks,
Barb O. 

Hello Friends,

An urgent vote is happening today in the Wisconsin Senate — and it’s being done in a way that shuts out public debate.

Today, February 2, 2026, the Wisconsin Senate [Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety] is holding a closed-door Executive Session on SB 445, the IHRA antisemitism bill. Its companion bill, AB 446, is moving in the Assembly. Our action alert applies to both bills.

The Senate [Committee] Executive Session is expected to proceed by paper ballot — a procedural tactic that eliminates debate, questions, and public input. There will be no opportunity for senators to publicly discuss concerns, and the public will not be heard on a bill with serious constitutional implications.

This paper ballot process is deeply troubling, especially for legislation that directly threatens freedom of speech.

TAKE ACTION NOW

[The ADC website will not accept your action without both mobile phone number and approval for text messages. You can also find your Wisconsin Representative and Senator emails here.]

Although today is an Executive Session and not a final floor vote, this step is critical. Executive Sessions are where bills are either advanced or stopped before reaching the full Senate and Assembly.

Today, immediate action matters.

1. Call or email your Wisconsin State Senator and Assembly Representative and urge them to oppose SB 445 and AB 446 and reject efforts to move these bills forward.
2. Call Governor Tony Evers’ office and urge him to veto SB 445 and AB 446 if they reach his desk. The Governor must hear clearly that Wisconsinites expect him to protect the First Amendment.

Silence today will be taken as consent tomorrow.

Call the Governor’s Office

Madison Office: (608) 266-1212
Milwaukee Office: (414) 227-4344

Sample Call Script:

“Hello, my name is ___, and I’m calling from ___, Wisconsin.

I’m urging Governor Evers to veto SB 445 and AB 446.

These bills threaten free speech and expand state power over political expression, using vague standards that invite abuse.

Please ask the Governor to protect the First Amendment and veto both bills.

Thank you.”

About ADC: The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) is the largest Arab American grassroots organization in the U.S., founded in 1980 by former Senator James Abourezk. ADC’s mission is to defend and promote the human rights, civil rights, and liberties of at least 3.7 million Arab Americans residing in the United States. Through its work, ADC fights discrimination in the U.S., enhances public understanding of Arab history and culture, and partners with marginalized communities globally to advance social justice.

Support ADC       

American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC)
910 17th Street NW, Suite 1000
Washington, DC 20006
United States

(202) 244-2990 | adc@adc.org

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