Oklahomans Condemn Governor Stitt’s Signing of Anti-Free Speech Bills SB 942 & SB 991
As concerned Oklahomans committed to civil liberties, democratic values, and the right to dissent, we unequivocally condemn Governor Kevin Stitt’s decision to sign Senate Bills 942 and 991 into law. With this action, Governor Stitt has chosen to undermine the constitutional right to free speech and to target those who advocate for justice and human rights.
This coalition of organizations stands united in opposing these dangerous laws, which seek to silence individuals and communities speaking out against oppression: Oklahomans Against Occupation, Council of American Islamic Relations Oklahoma, Law Students for a Free Palestine at OU, Medical Students for Justice in Palestine at OU, and Students for Justice in Palestine at OU, OSU & UCO.
SB 942 mandates that Oklahoma colleges and universities adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism, weaponizing it to suppress constitutionally protected speech—particularly speech critical of Israeli government policy.
SB 942 mandates that Oklahoma colleges and universities adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism, weaponizing it to suppress constitutionally protected speech—particularly speech critical of Israeli government policy.
These bills are part of a broader, nationwide effort to chill political expression, especially advocacy for Palestinian human rights and criticism of U.S. and state complicity in international abuses. By conflating principled criticism of the Israeli state with antisemitism, SB 942 and SB 991 dangerously blur the lines between hate speech and legitimate protest, creating a chilling effect on students, educators, and community organizations. We reject this attempt at silencing our freedom of speech and are committed to continued advocacy.
Statement by University of Oklahoma, Law Students for a Free Palestine:
“We strongly condemn this bill as an attack on the First Amendment right to freedom of speech. This bill is meant to create a chilling effect to prevent people from speaking out against Israeli crimes of genocide and ethnic cleansing in Palestine. As core political speech that enjoys the greatest protection under the First Amendment, such criticism of the Israeli government cannot be censored like this. The law must be respected, and justice must be upheld for everyone.”
Statement by University of Oklahoma, Students for Justice in Palestine:
“We are disappointed but entirely unsurprised at the passage of these bills, which we clearly recognize as yet another facetious attempt to forbid Palestinian students and those who stand with them from speaking out against the ongoing genocide in their homeland. This blatantly hypocritical action by our state government, a body which pretends to care about free speech while silencing the voices of their constituents, will serve only to embolden the student movement at the University of Oklahoma. Our activism will continue despite the threat of expulsion or arrest, fueled by a commitment to justice, truth, and love that burns far brighter than the darkness of censorship and fear.”
Statement by CAIR-OK Executive Director Veronica Laizure:
“We are disappointed that the Oklahoma legislature, and Governor Stitt, saw fit to enshrine vague and overly broad new laws that restrict free speech under the guise of protecting vulnerable communities. While we care deeply about fighting antisemitism as it appears in Oklahoma, we also believe that Oklahomans should have the right to express their concerns about human rights violations and to stand up against injustice. These bills are a dangerous attempt to stifle ongoing conversations about critical global affairs, especially on college and university campuses, where free speech and discourse should be protected.”
Governor Stitt’s decision is not one of leadership; it is a shameful capitulation to political pressure that undermines Oklahoma’s democratic foundation. These laws send a clear and troubling message: peaceful advocacy and principled dissent are no longer safe in this state.
We assert that standing in solidarity with oppressed people, in Oklahoma, Gaza, or anywhere else, is not a crime. It is a moral obligation. We reject the dangerous conflation of peaceful protest with hate, and we denounce this assault on our rights.
We urge all Oklahomans to resist this attack on our freedoms and to hold our elected officials accountable. SB 942 and SB 991 do not protect us—they threaten the very principles of democracy, justice, and free expression.
Media Contacts:
Oklahomans Against Occupation
oklahomansagainstoccupation@protonmail.com
CAIR – Oklahoma
Veronica Laizure
SJP – OU
scpl.ou@proton.me
