Video & Transcript : 'freedom of expression' :
Page 17 of 500
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Select Committee On Racism, Hate, And Xenophobia Jun 25th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- And that constitutes 11% of the total numbers of hate crimes... ...of the total numbers of hate acts
- I'm a member of the National Board of Directors and Vice Chair of the National Board of Directors Legal
- Now, I want to begin by expressing my gratitude for the opportunity to speak on behalf of the over one
- That all public institutions, especially schools and colleges, remain places where freedom of conscience
- of humanity, a shared dream of humanity, a shared dream of humanity, a share.”
Summary:
The Select Committee on Hate, Racism, and Xenophobia met to hear opening remarks, state data, and testimony from community organizations and equity commissions about rising hate and discrimination in California. The chair framed the hearing as a response to persistent targeting of protected classes, and members said the committee’s purpose was to elevate community voices and identify policy responses. Assembly Member Gonzalez and Assembly Member Lowenthal also briefly commented on the importance of listening to communities and developing legislative solutions.
The California Department of Justice reported that 2024 hate crime events, offenses, and victims all increased from the prior year, with anti-Black bias remaining the most common category, followed by anti-Jewish and anti-Latino bias in different breakdowns. DOJ also noted increases in referrals for prosecution and described its hate-crimes guidance, rapid-response protocol, and outreach efforts. The California Commission on the State of Hate said hate is underreported, cited survey data suggesting millions of Californians experienced hate incidents, and recommended permanent data infrastructure, mandatory law-enforcement training, and sustained funding for victim support and prevention programs. Commissioners also emphasized that public messaging by leaders can influence hate and violence.
A long panel of advocates described the impacts of racism, xenophobia, anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, anti-LGBTQ+ hate, and anti-immigrant enforcement on their communities. NAACP representatives focused on systemic racism in policing, education, health, housing, and environmental justice; LULAC and CHIRLA described ICE raids, profiling, and fear in Latino and immigrant communities; Jewish, Muslim, Asian American, and LGBTQ+ speakers highlighted rising threats, harassment, and the need for language access, school protections, security funding, and legal assistance. The Racial Equity Commission closed by describing its statewide framework work, community engagement, and a December 1 deadline for delivering recommendations to the Legislature and administration. No formal votes or committee actions were taken during the hearing, but members said they would request additional recommendations and continue the work through future hearings and briefings.
MO
Transcript Highlights:
- of speech by meritless lawsuits.
- But you have the right to have freedom of speech.
- It just says you have the freedom of speech to say that you like A and B.
- It just says you have the freedom of speech to say that you like A and B, and that's my favorite.
- Anyone else in support of this bill? Thank you, Madam Chair, members of the committee.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Tuesday, June 30, 2026)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- We cannot celebrate 250 years of freedom while ruling a colony for 120 years of them.
- symbol of freedom and democracy.
- One of the top priorities of the bipartisan fiscal year 27 NDAA is to rebuild our arsenal of freedom.
- Are the great principles of political freedom and of natural justice embodied in that declaration of
- way of life, prosperity, freedom, Better way of life, prosperity, freedom, the ability to carry out
Keywords:
HCR108, H. Con. Res. 108, War Powers Resolution, Lebanon, Lebanese Armed Forces, U.S. Armed Forces, hostilities, military withdrawal, troop removal, concurrent resolution, Congressional war powers, executive war powers, foreign policy, Middle East, diplomatic facilities, security cooperation, cease hostilities, military engagement, war authorization, non-authorization of force
WY
Transcript Highlights:
- The most common are freedom of expression and speech, freedom of association, and the right to petition
- </c> just expressed, you know, a few of them. just expressed, you know, a few of them.
- </c><00:26:43.120><c> of</c> The most common are freedom of The most common are freedom of expression
- of</c> expression and speech, freedom of expression and speech, freedom of association,<00:26:46.640>
- But generally speaking, we're talking about freedom of expression and the right to participate in the
Committee:
Joint Judiciary
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Combatting Antisemitism Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Transcript Highlights:
- But I am looking at the second clause, “run counter to the values of academic freedom,” that should..
- They may run counter to the values of academic freedom and institutional integrity, which sort of moderates
- Undermines... ...undermines how do we say it undermines the core principles of academic freedom, freedom
- of expression, and free exchange of ideas?
- academic freedom freedom of expression and free exchange of ideas if it's okay if it applies to academic
Summary:
The commission held its 16th and final meeting to review and vote on revisions to its draft report on combating antisemitism. After roll call, members approved the prior meeting minutes, adopted a procedure for handling substantive and technical edits, and authorized limited technical corrections after the meeting. Senator John Velis’s letter was read into the record noting his military deployment and support for the final report, and the commission discussed the scope of the report, including its 118 findings and recommendations and the large volume of testimony received over the year.
Members then worked through a series of amendments to the report. The chair’s prefatory statement was revised to restore language and data about Massachusetts Jews’ relationship to Israel and the impact on the commission’s work. Commissioner Liken’s proposal called for DESE guidance and teacher training to support intellectually diverse K-12 classrooms; members debated how to ensure it could not be used to justify biased or false material, and the amendment passed with discussion about existing guardrails. Commissioner Hay’s technical edits were adopted, and commissioners also discussed whether DESE’s new reporting system should anonymize data; the language was revised to specify anonymized data and approved.
Additional amendments were adopted on public safety and higher education, including clarifying support for nonprofit security grants and personnel grants, refining language on academic boycotts, and adding references to Zionist identity and presumed Zionist identity as possible bases for antisemitic treatment. Commissioner Kipnis’s revisions to the prefatory statement were also considered, with some members objecting to the removal of language about minimization and traumatic invalidation and others supporting a more concise, fact-driven tone. The commission also approved language strengthening recommendations by changing several “should” statements to “must.”
Treasurer Deborah Goldberg then delivered closing remarks praising the commission’s work and sharing personal family history to illustrate the persistence of antisemitism in Massachusetts. She said the report offers a practical roadmap, including bias reporting in schools, security coordination, and broader anti-discrimination training, and emphasized that the recommendations will help all communities. Commissioners thanked her for her leadership and testimony. The meeting continued with further amendments, including one on law enforcement security grants and another on higher education findings and recommendations, and the commission repeatedly voted by roll call, generally approving the revisions unanimously.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Tuesday, June 23, 2026)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- , freedom of the individual, of religion, and of family.
- His horse of steel and rocket fuel propelled a high-octane expression of American exploration into the
- It's a reminder to be proud of our American heritage, the freedoms we all share, and of how a price has
- and amazement ...expressions of wonder and amazement about all of the grace, greatness that is America
- This expression of American patriotism joins the endless parade of cross-country events as an encore
Bills:
HB2323 , HB6644 , SB629 , HB8882 , HB8881 , HB8880 , HB8879 , HB4238 , HR915 , HR826 , HB7401 , HB7396
Keywords:
Big Bend National Park, land acquisition, boundary adjustment, Secretary of the Interior, conservation, housing, affordability, institutional investors, vacant properties, grants, homeownership, urban development, Holodomor, Ukraine famine, 1932-1933 famine, genocide recognition, Soviet Union, Joseph Stalin, collectivization, grain confiscation
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Thursday, June 11, 2026)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- that generated hundreds of millions of... ...that generated hundreds of millions of dollars in false
- Juneteenth marks the moment when the promise of freedom finally reached the last enslaved Black Americans
- 20th, at the Kino Sports Complex for an evening of freedom, culture, education, and community as we
- up to its ideals and a starburst in the middle representing the new era of freedom.
- , the freedom they dreamt of and fought so hard for.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
Senate Executive Departments and Administration (04/08/2026)
Executive Departments and Administration
Transcript Highlights:
- And those rights of freedom of speech and expression do not stop inside a school.
- and expression do not freedom of speech and expression do not stop<00:45:00.400><c> inside</c><00:45
- Freedom of expression, freedom of critical thought, and freedom of speech are all central to the tenets
- Freedom of expression, democracy.
- Freedom of expression, freedom<00:55:55.520><c> of</c><00:55:55.680><c> critical</c><00:55:56.000><c>
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- of speech and freedom of religion.
- of expression.
- of expression.
- I urge you to vote no on both of these bills, protecting the rights and freedoms of all Texans to access
- Anti-masking laws can and must be narrowly tailored to preserve freedom of speech and assembly.
Bills:
HB45 , SB1540 , SB2225 , SB2284 , SB2382 , SB2487 , SB2514 , SB2595 , SB2876 , SB2877 , SB3031 , SB2753
Committee:
Senate State Affairs
Summary:
The committee first adopted a committee substitute for Senate Bill 30 and then voted to report the substituted bill favorably to the full Senate; the roll call showed six ayes and one nay, with later unanimous-consent corrections noted for additional aye votes. The committee also reported Senate Bill 801 favorably to the full Senate by an eight-to-one vote. Both bills were left with no further action in the meeting after the votes.
The committee then heard Senate Bill 2595 by Senator Middleton and Senate Bill 2876 by Chairman Hughes, both aimed at addressing masked harassment and riot-related conduct. Supporters said the bills would deter intimidation, protect public order, and respond to recent protests and anti-Semitic incidents, while opponents from civil rights, disability, and advocacy groups argued the measures were overly broad, could chill peaceful protest, and would burden people who wear masks for religious, medical, or disability-related reasons. Public testimony was taken on both bills, and both were left pending after testimony closed.
Senate Bill 2753, by Senator Hall, proposed consolidating early voting and election day into a single continuous in-person voting period with common procedures and equipment, while preserving countywide voting and mail voting. The Secretary of State’s office said the bill could improve ballot secrecy and simplify administration, though witnesses raised concerns about ballot privacy, logistics, and access for disabled voters; some county election officials were neutral or supportive of the concept, while others opposed it as confusing or potentially burdensome. The bill was left pending after extensive testimony.
The committee also heard Senate Bill 2225 on allowing spirit-based ready-to-drink beverages to be sold in grocery and convenience stores, with supporters arguing the law should focus on alcohol content rather than the source of the alcohol and that the bill would modernize an outdated code. Later, Senate Bill 1540, which would add election officials and related workers to confidentiality protections, drew support from county election officials who described threats and harassment, though one witness suggested the bill’s language may need technical adjustment to better match its intent. Finally, Senate Bill 2382, concerning statewide voter registration systems and offline counties, drew opposition from county election administrators and vendors who warned about capacity, cybersecurity, and single-point-of-failure risks, while others suggested a phased approach or API-based integration; the transcript ends with testimony still open on that bill.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- In the absence of recusal of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and the absence and recusal of the
- the top of the of the poll.
- I'm here to testify in opposition to SB 240. on behalf of myself and the Texas Freedom Network, an organization
- Our goal is true freedom of speech on all of our campuses.
- I.D. checks are. violation of individual freedom in public spaces.
Committee:
Senate State Affairs
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- In the absence of recusal of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and the absence and recusal of the
- top of the of the poll.
- I'm here to testify in opposition to SB 240. on behalf of myself and the Texas Freedom Network, an organization
- Our goal is true freedom of speech on all of our campuses.
- I.D. checks are. violation of individual freedom in public spaces.
Committee:
Senate State Affairs
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
Judiciary Apr 28th, 2026
Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence
Transcript Highlights:
- of speech by meritless lawsuits.
- Try to suppress people's freedom of speech by meritless lawsuits without taking any questions.
- of speech.
- It just says you have the freedom of speech to say that you like A and B, and that's my favorite.
- Anyone else in support of this bill? Thank you, Madam Chair, members of the committee.
Summary:
The committee held a public hearing on Senate Bill 1067, a Uniform Public Expression Protection Act intended to deter meritless “SLAPP” lawsuits that can chill free speech by forcing defendants into costly litigation. The bill sponsor explained that it would apply to speech on matters of public concern, including social media and political speech, and would allow an expedited motion and immediate appeal so a plaintiff must show early that the case has merit. Members asked about examples, whether defamation and true harmful speech would still be actionable, and whether the bill would strain courts; the sponsor said it would not eliminate valid claims and would likely reduce court burden by resolving weak cases sooner.
Witnesses testified in support, including the Missouri Press Association, the Institute for Free Speech, the Missouri Broadcasters Association, and Missouri Right to Life. Supporters said journalists, broadcasters, and ordinary citizens are frequent targets of meritless suits meant to silence reporting or other protected expression, and noted the bill was similar to prior versions that had advanced with bipartisan support. One witness said the measure mirrors language adopted in many other states and simply moves the summary-judgment-type review earlier in the process, before lengthy discovery.
No witnesses spoke in opposition or for informational purposes. The hearing concluded without a vote, and the committee adjourned after closing the public hearing on SB 1067.
SC
South Carolina 2025-2026 Regular Session
House of Representatives Jun 25th, 2026
South Carolina House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- in that initial meeting by way of the Senate and by way of the House were expressed again today.
- I’m looking forward to the day when we truly allow South Carolinians to have freedom—freedom of choice
- , freedom of whatever it is they” “Freedom of choice, freedom of whatever it is that they believe works
- The other camp is to vote no because you want to legalize all of it. Freedom.
- Representative Rutherford, expressing sorrow for the passing of Littrell Hartz.
AL
Alabama 2025 Regular Session
Alabama Senate Education Policy Committee Apr 9th, 2025
Education Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- of.
- The cultural behavior of any human society depends on the state of energy as the result of its sexual
- and the lack of discipline in the families, lack of discipline in the schools is the root problem of
- This allows parents the freedom. It upholds the freedom of choice. It allows the freedom of choice.
- Um, you this body, the House of Um, you this body, the House of Representatives, the state board of education
Committee:
Senate Education Policy
Keywords:
Ten Commandments, public education, displays, funding, Alabama law, STEM, science education, technology education, engineering education, math education, workforce development, career pathways, Alabama STEM Council, Department of Workforce, education policy, higher education, community colleges, K-12 education, teacher pipeline, STEM careers
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Formal House Session 52 Jun 21st, 2026 at 10:50 am
Massachusetts House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- of the 250th anniversary of the United States of America.
- of the 250th anniversary of the United States of America.
- of the 250th anniversary of the United States of America.
- , Flanagan of Dennis, Ramos of North Andover, Reyes of Lawrence, Williams of Springfield, and Ashe of
- To privacy, because that right underpins our freedom of association, of thought, expression, as well
Summary:
The House first adopted several resolutions from the Committee on Rules, including congratulations to four Eagle Scouts and recognition of Sturbridge on the 250th anniversary of the United States. The chamber then took up a series of bills reported by Ways and Means and other committees, repeatedly suspending the rules to move them forward. These included the Massachusetts Consumer Data Privacy Act, a Fall River land conveyance bill, a Belmont alcohol licensing bill, a Reading senior property tax exemption bill, and a Linfield funding transfer bill, with each measure advancing by amendment or being passed to a third reading or engrossment.
A major portion of the session focused on the Massachusetts Consumer Data Privacy Act, with multiple members speaking in support. Supporters described the bill as a broad consumer privacy framework that would limit data collection, require consent for sensitive data, ban the sale of precise location data, restrict targeted advertising to minors, create consumer rights to access, correct, delete, and opt out of data uses, and provide enforcement tools for the Attorney General and, in limited cases, a private right of action. Several members emphasized protections for reproductive health, immigrant communities, and neural data, while others argued the bill would not burden small businesses and would instead hold large data holders accountable. The House adopted the Ways and Means amendment and ordered the bill to a third reading, then later passed the bill to be engrossed and enacted.
The House also considered and enacted Senate 2563, a bill updating language in the laws concerning individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Members described the measure as removing outdated and offensive terminology and replacing it with person-first language without changing substantive law. After debate, the House adopted an amendment, passed the bill to be engrossed, and then enacted it by roll call. In addition, the House enacted the fiscal year 2026 supplemental appropriations bill, House 5470, and approved a bill extending deadlines for Middleton and Milton, both by roll call votes with no opposition.
Later, the House took up a temporary summer 2026 local-option pilot allowing municipalities to extend liquor license hours and permit public consumption in designated districts. Supporters framed it as an economic development and tourism measure tied to major upcoming events, and the House adopted an amendment, passed the bill to be engrossed, and then concurred with the Senate version. The session ended with the House adopting an adjournment order and adjourning to meet again the following Monday in informal session.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Formal House Session 52 Jun 4th, 2026
Massachusetts House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- of Eagle Scout of Scouting America.
- of Eagle Scout of Scouting America.
- of Eagle Scout of Scouting America.
- their time to the passage of this legislation as we get closer today, and I'd like to formally express
- To privacy, because that right underpins our freedom of association, of thought, expression, as well
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Election Laws Feb 10th, 2026
Joint Committee on Election Laws
Transcript Highlights:
- of Democrats, 61% of Republicans, and 90% of voters under 30.
- of turn.
- This process continues until one of the candidates has over 50% of the votes.
- A lot of people weren't supportive of ranked-choice voting.
- I am a resident of Bedford, of course.
Committee:
Joint Joint Committee on Election Laws
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Election Laws held a hearing on ranked choice voting, focusing primarily on H. 4262 for Boston and H. 4916 for Bedford. Committee chairs Dan Hunt and Senator Keenan opened the hearing, limited testimony to three minutes per person, and heard from a long list of advocates, local officials, and organizations. The hearing ended with no further registered speakers and the committee adjourned after inviting additional written testimony.
Testimony was overwhelmingly in support of ranked choice voting. Supporters included RepresentWomen, Reclaim Roxbury, the Boston Teachers Union, Veterans for All Voters, MassVOTE, the Urban League of Eastern Massachusetts, Our Revolution Massachusetts, and Bedford residents and organizers. Speakers argued that ranked choice voting would reduce the spoiler effect, encourage coalition-building and less negative campaigning, improve majority support for winners, and expand voter participation and representation, especially for women, young voters, and historically marginalized communities. Several speakers emphasized local control and said Boston and Bedford should be allowed to decide for themselves through their home rule petitions.
Boston City Councilors and the City Council president also testified in favor, describing the city’s low municipal turnout, the council’s approval of the petition, and the fact that Boston voters previously supported a statewide ranked choice voting measure. Councilor Rutsi L. Jean explained the petition’s development through council hearings and working sessions, while Council President Ruthzee Louijeune said the proposal would be subject to a binding referendum if enacted and urged the legislature to let Boston residents pursue top-four ranked choice voting. Bedford speakers similarly said their town meeting supported the idea but that legislative approval was still needed. No opposition testimony or votes were taken during the hearing.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Combatting Antisemitism Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Transcript Highlights:
- standard bearer for academic freedom, has spearheaded the reversal of the AAP's long-standing opposition
- standard bearer for academic freedom, has spearheaded the reversal of the AAP's long-standing opposition
- Could I fully express my views on any number of topics, or did they... ...feel as a student?
- Could I fully express my views on any number of topics, or did that professor give me an indicator that
- what academic freedom consists of.
Summary:
The Special Commission on Anti-Semitism met for its 11th meeting and approved the minutes from its August 7 meeting. Co-chairs said the commission had recently completed preliminary K-12 recommendations and would continue work on higher education, with additional topics such as workplace issues, the medical sector, and the arts to be addressed before the November 30 reporting deadline. They also said another public comment meeting would be held this fall.
The first testimony came from Dr. Mark Posnansky of Harvard Medical School, who described anti-Semitism affecting STEM, research, and higher education. He said Jewish and Israeli students and faculty reported ostracism, gaslighting, intimidation, discrimination, and hiding Jewish identity, and he urged clear leadership statements, mandatory anti-Semitism education, and stronger reporting and discipline procedures. Commissioners asked about Harvard training, spillover into teaching hospitals, and whether anti-Semitic climates were causing students to leave; he said some students had turned down opportunities because of the environment and that concerns also affected healthcare settings.
Lindsey Gabbo, a Harvard Law student and mother, testified that campus discourse after October 7 had made Jewish and Zionist students feel isolated and unwelcome, with protests, defaced hostage posters, and a student council BDS vote contributing to the climate. She said Harvard had sent some emails acknowledging anti-Semitism but that she had not seen meaningful steps to restore dialogue, and she argued the school needed more structured venues for conversation. Commissioners also asked about campus security, the effect on students’ mental health, and the impact of chants and protests that she said many Jewish students understood as calls to violence.
A panel of concerned Jewish faculty and staff then offered contrasting views. Professor Jeremy Menchick argued the commission should use data carefully, include non-Zionist Jews in its analysis, and avoid reinforcing divisions within the Jewish community. Professor Hilary Lustick described restorative-practice approaches and said structured dialogue could address conflict without immediate punishment. Professor Jonathan Feingold warned that anti-Semitism was being weaponized by the Trump administration and right-wing groups to attack universities and DEI, and he urged the commission not to adopt approaches that could be used to undermine civil rights institutions. Commissioners pushed back on claims that the problem was being exaggerated or reduced to a “problem” rather than a “crisis,” and the discussion ended with continued debate over data, context, and how to balance anti-Semitism concerns with broader civil-rights protections.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:30 am
Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security
Transcript Highlights:
- belonging, a sense of security, and a sense of value as a contributing member of our school communities
- I served in Operation Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom, also as part of the International Security
- It shouldn't matter, but 80% of the children, It didn't matter, but 80% of the children of undocumented
- It is the backbone of American freedom.
- fear of immigration consequences... ...when entrepreneurs hesitate to risk because of fear of immigration
Summary:
The hearing focused on the Safe Communities Act, House 2580 and Senate 1681, along with related proposals to limit local and state cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, prohibit 287(g) agreements, and expand legal defense for immigrants. Most testimony came from advocates, attorneys, labor leaders, health care professionals, educators, and community members who argued that fear of ICE discourages immigrants from reporting crimes, seeking medical care, attending school, or cooperating with courts, and that a clear statewide policy would improve public safety, due process, and trust in institutions. Several speakers described personal or client experiences involving domestic violence, trafficking, workplace abuse, or children affected by deportation, and many emphasized economic harms to workers, families, and small businesses.
Health care witnesses said immigration enforcement is causing patients to miss appointments, avoid emergency rooms, and delay preventive care, with resulting public health consequences. Labor and education representatives said immigrant workers and students are increasingly fearful, and that the state should not allow local police to act as ICE agents or enter 287(g) agreements. ACLU and coalition witnesses cited examples they said showed existing or recent collaboration between local agencies and ICE, including courthouse alerts, vehicle stops, and use of municipal spaces, while also arguing that the bill would still allow cooperation on criminal matters and public safety emergencies. One witness opposed the bill, arguing that serious criminal offenders should be deported and defending ICE’s role.
Committee members asked several questions about whether the harms described were widespread or anecdotal, and about the distinction between assisting ICE in civil immigration arrests versus responding to violent or public safety emergencies. Witnesses said the bill was aimed at civil immigration enforcement, not criminal investigations or emergency situations. At the end of the hearing, a committee member requested a study on immigration enforcement’s effect on emergency room wait times, and the committee then adjourned without taking a vote on the legislation.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session Aug 19th, 2026
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Members, I spy, out of the corner of my eye, former Assembly Member and current Mayor of San Diego Todd
- So let me be clear: more precious to preserving our democracy is the ideal of freedom of speech and freedom
- of fraud.
- It's about freedom of the press and freedom to be able to express... ...freedom of the press and freedom
- freedom.