Statement from Rep. Abdelnasser Rashid on Forward Momentum for Illinois Human Rights Advocacy Protection Act (HB 2723)

BERWYN, Ill – Rep. Abdelnasser Rashid (D-Bridgeview) announced today that ten additional cosponsors have signed on to the Illinois Human Rights Advocacy and Protection Act (HB 2723), including several members of House leadership. HB 2723 would repeal the requirement that the Illinois Investment Policy Board divest from companies that stop doing business in or with Israel.

Rep. Rashid issued the following statement on this milestone:

“I am profoundly grateful to my colleagues who have signed onto the Illinois Human Rights Advocacy Protection Act in defense of the universal right to protest injustices and grave human rights violations. Our 14 co-sponsors serve diverse communities across the state and represent a range of ideological perspectives. Their support, together with that of the ACLU of Illinois, underscores that this bill is a defense of our democratic right to peaceful protest, a right which has rarely been more important than it is now in these troubled times. 

“A supermajority of Illinoisans believe in both the right to peaceful protest and that our state and our country should not be complicit in the crimes against Palestinians that are now being spurred on by Donald Trump’s reckless and dangerous foreign policy. Our state should always be on the side of freedom and justice for all. 

“The choice before us is simple: if you do not believe Illinois should retaliate against companies like Ben & Jerry’s for taking a stand for human rights, then you support the Illinois Human Rights Advocacy Protection Act. Now is the time to build on this momentum, to unshackle ourselves from extremist foreign policy and pass this bill into law.” – Rep. Abdelnasser Rashid (D-Bridgeview)