Missouri Defines Antisemitism, Reports Incidents

0:00It's April 30th. Welcome to Kansas News Today, powered by AI. I'm Cory with the story. Missouri Governor Mike Keyho just signed House Bill 2061 into law requiring all K-12 schools and public universities to define anti-semitism and report any incidents or complaints to the state's Title VI coordinator. This kicks in come August and pulls straight from the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's definition, calling anti-semitism a perception of Jews that leads to hatred toward them or their stuff. Dozens of states have jumped on this IHRA definition since 2016 and Missouri got ahead last year with a proclamation from the GUD, previous governor. The push ramped up after the Israel Gaza War started as reports of anti-Semitic acts shot up nationwide, including 374N. Missouri back in 2023, Jewish students and supporters say campuses have turned hostile with stories of all-mind harassment and intimidation pouring in during hearings.

1:04Groups like the Anti-Defamation League, clocked 48 incidents in Missouri this year alone, eight right in the Kansas City area. The governor called it a basic rife for kids to learn without hate. Critics, though, worry it chills free speech, pointing out examples like comparing Israeli policies to Nazis could get flagged, even if it's protected. Criticism. Free speech advocates call the language vague and say it was never meant for laws like this. Still, the bill sailed through unanimous in the Senate and 100 to 17 in the House. Schools get some wiggle room to tweak their own definitions using IHRA as a guide, balancing protection with first amendment rights. This puts Missouri in the thick of the national fight over campus safety and speech.