LOS ANGELES (CNS) - The City Council is expected Friday to vote on a motion calling for a report on threatening flyers and antisemtic messages with the intent of introducing harsher penalties for that crime.
Council members Bob Blumenfield and Nithya Raman introduced a motion on Oct. 20, asking the Los Angeles Police Department and city attorney to consider an increase in penalties rather than a misdemeanor for any person to litter "in mass" as a method to disseminate hate speech.
The council's Public Safety Committee previously approved the matter in late November. The motion came amid the conflict between Israel and Hamas, and as the U.S. has seen an increase of hate speech and attacks on the Jewish community and Palestinian people as well.
"The deliberate mass dissemination of flyers, pamphlets and letters as litter to deliver antisemitic messaging is sadly becoming a common occurrence nationwide with recent incidents locally in Culver City, Brentwood, Beverly Hills and Huntington Beach," the motion reads.
During the committee meeting, opponents of the motion said it would lead to censorship of pro-Palestinian messaging.
Many of the speakers asked council members to better define what would be considered antisemitism by law enforcement.
Opponents of the motion and pro-Palestine supporters are expected to host a rally outside of City Hall at 9:30 a.m. to discuss their thoughts on the item and encourage attendees to voice their opinion during public comment, according to a social media post.