Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin, a Republican, signed identical state House and Senate bills on Wednesday that extend the state’s protections against hate crimes to discrimination based on ethnicity, including antisemitism.
“Today, we come together as Virginians to sign legislation that builds the framework to take action because hatred, intolerance and antisemitism have no place in the commonwealth,” he stated. “We remain steadfast in our commitment to prioritize the safety and security of all Virginians as our commonwealth continues to be a beacon of freedom and opportunity.”
Jason Miyares, the state’s attorney general, stated that the “unanimous passage of these bills reflects the shared commitment across party lines of upholding the principles of equality and justice in Virginia.”
State House Delegate Dan Helmer said “as the grandson of Holocaust survivors and a Jewish parent whose kids have confronted antisemitism, I know how important it is that all Virginians are safe regardless of their ethnicity.”
Bryce Reeves, a state senator, said Youngkin signed the “much-needed protections” into law “as Israel stands on the verge of a two-front war.”
“I have personally witnessed the atrocities imposed upon the Jewish people based on antisemitic beliefs. We have a moral obligation to stamp it out in the Commonwealth of Virginia and these United States,” Reeves stated.
“I have and will continue to stand with Israel, and I’m proud to have been the chief patron of this important legislation and thank my Democrat colleagues for their co-patrons and bipartisan support,” he added.
