The Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington sent a letter to Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin earlier this month urging him to sign bills related to combating antisemitism and hatred, according to a March 19 press release.
House Bill 2783 makes it a Class 6 felony to place a Nazi swastika on the private property of another person without permission, as well as on highways or public property with the intent to instill reasonable fear. The bill differentiates the Nazi emblem from the right-facing swastika symbol representing peace and prosperity in Hinduism, Buddhism, Zoroastrianism, Jainism and Native American religions.
Such targeted vandalism is considered a hate crime by the United States Department of Justice.
House Bill 2241 is a “commonsense safety measure” that prevents anyone convicted of a hate crime from obtaining access to a weapon.
These pieces of “vital legislation” will benefit northern Virginia’s Jewish community as well as Virginia residents as a whole, the press release said.
Vicki Fishman, JCRC’s director of Virginia government and community relations, said this legislation focuses on “basic human rights that everyone should get behind.”
“Governor Youngkin has been a good friend to Virginia’s Jewish community, and we believe he shares our commitment to the values reflected in these priority bills,” Fishman said in the press release. “These bills each seek to improve the lives of Virginians. We look forward to continue working with policymakers from both parties to combat antisemitism and to stand up for core Jewish values embodied by these bills.”
