Letters: Divestment Movement | Reduction fees

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State law does not
exclude divestment

Subject: “Calls for universities to divest from Israel, hampered by state law” (Page A1, April 28)

AB 2844 (of 2016) has absolutely no impact on student demands that universities divest from Israel and companies that profit from occupation or genocide.

This bill, as introduced, was a direct attack on the First Amendment that would have denied state contracts to individuals or companies boycotting Israel – even so, unrelated to divestment. Strong opposition from 100 organizations, reinforced by committee staff’s analyzes warning of its unconstitutionality, led to numerous rewrites.

What was passed is legally ineffective, sparing California litigation that has seen courts strike down such laws elsewhere. The law simply requires state contractors to agree not to discriminate, consistent with pre-existing law. Boycotts remain protected speech.

Its passage, however, allowed supporters of Israel to falsely boast of having enacted an anti-boycott law, occasionally triggering “chilling effects” on speech.

David Mandel
California Democratic Party Central Committee
Sacramento

Other more critical costs
need to be controlled

Subject: “Lawmaker’s bill targets benefit of skipping the line” (page A1, May 6).

While I appreciate that our elected leaders are concerned about new laws regarding food delivery fees, concert ticket fees, and my personal favorite, airport hopping fees, I can only imagine if they were actually creating rules, regulations and laws to reduce costs for the things that all of us. need and actual use, such as energy, fuel and medicine.

Ah, the power of lobbyist money, but hey, Door Dash and Ticketmaster… unreal.

Joe Picone
San Jose

The world was not silent
the atrocities of October 7

Subject: “The world refuses to recognize the atrocities of October 7” (page A6, May 2).

The author suggests that the public was indifferent to Hamas’ attack on Israelis. Bret Stephens points to Sheryl Sandberg’s documentary, “Screams Before Silence,” to highlight that the world has not condemned the sexual brutality inflicted on Israeli women during the attack.

Mr. Stephens is wrong. The world was horrified by this abominable assault. Many voices have been raised against Hamas’ violence and have expressed their revulsion. A wide range of organizations have strongly supported Israel’s right to defend itself.

However, many also condemn this continuing war against innocent children and defenseless women. There is no justification for Israelis to punish Palestinians who have committed no crime. Two wrongs don’t make a right. So, to answer Ms. Sandberg’s question, yes, the world is listening. It is time for Israel to show clear moral leadership and focus solely on suppressing Hamas terrorists.

Irene Corso
Los Altos

It’s our turn to write
new chapter of protest

Subject: “’It’s a fragile situation’ on regional campuses” (Page A1, May 3).

At the start of each day, ask yourself: will you write a chapter about violence or a peaceful protest?

If you write a chapter on violence, the waves will blind the world because “an eye for an eye will make the whole world blind”, often attributed to Mahatma Gandhi.

If you write a chapter of peace, the repercussions will open the eyes of the world.

During your day, if you encounter monsters, “be careful not to become a monster,” as Friedrich Nietzsche said.

Henry David Thoreau wrote the book on civil disobedience, and Mohandas Gandhi and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. wrote their own chapters, emphasizing the word “civil” to mean legal, peaceful, nonviolent protest against unjust actions.

Now is the time for our generation to write an equally powerful and moving chapter of peaceful, nonviolent protest.

Curtis Panasuk
San Jose

A civilized society
would end horse racing

Subject: “By a nose” (Page C1, May 5).