Statement from Rep. Abdelnasser Rashid on Major Endorsement for Illinois Human Rights Advocacy Protection Act

BERWYN, Ill. – State Rep. Abdelnasser Rashid, D-Bridgeview, announced today that the Illinois House Progressive Caucus has endorsed the Illinois Human Rights Advocacy and Protection Act (HB 2723). HB 2723 would repeal the requirement that Illinois pension funds divest from companies that stop doing business in or with Israel. Two-thirds of members were required to support the bill in order to receive Caucus support. On this milestone, Rashid issued the following statement:

“The Illinois House Progressive Caucus is on the right side of history with its endorsement of the Illinois Human Rights Advocacy Protection Act, which reaffirms the foundational democratic principle that peaceful protest should be protected, not punished. I thank my colleagues for their leadership on this critical issue.

Our bill has already garnered the support of nearly 30 co-sponsors in the House and Senate from across the state and organizations like the ACLU of Illinois, reflecting the broad and diverse coalition behind it. An overwhelming majority of Illinoisans support the right to peaceful protest and believe our state and nation must not be complicit in grave injustices, including those currently being perpetrated against the Palestinian people.

At a time when foundational liberties are under attack and with state repression on the rise, it’s more important than ever that Illinois clearly and unambiguously stand on the side of freedom and democracy.”