Every Georgian Deserves to FEEL Safe and to BE Safe

On October 7th, the Jewish holiday of Sukkot and the 50th anniversary of the Yom Kippur War, Hamas terrorists attacked Israel with the sole goal of butchery to the Jewish people. This was terrorism plain and simple. In the days after, images and reports about the barbarism were unveiled in part through the videos taken by the Hamas terrorists on the victims’ phones and sent to their families. Children saw their parents murdered in cold blood, and terrorists savagely slayed infants in the largest massacre of Jewish people since the Holocaust. Over 240 innocent civilians, including babies and the elderly were taken hostage and are being held as human shields in the Hamas tunnels of Gaza.

At home, many, myself included, took to denounce these atrocities and give full-throated support for Israel in her duty to defend her people. Anger, sadness, empathy and fear permeated throughout many parts of the globe. I, like many Georgians, stand with Israel and the Jewish people in these darkest times.

However, others took a deeply troubling stance. One member of Congress displayed a Palestinian flag outside of her office and refused to denounce the killing of babies as terrorism- another repeated verbiage that amounts to calling for Israeli genocide. In major cities and college campuses across the country, the same or similar sentiments were repeatedly expressed. Personally, I find these comments disgusting. As Attorney General of Georgia and a defender of the First Amendment, I believe speech, even offensive speech, should be protected.

There is a bright, red line. While I will always defend one’s freedom of expression, even vile expression, and the right to peaceably assemble, we have seen disturbing activities that go beyond that which is constitutionally protected. Acts of violence are not free speech.

The Anti-Defamation League reports a 388% uptick in antisemitic incidents from last year while 70% believe antisemitism is on the rise. An individual faces federal charges for making terroristic threats against a kosher dining hall at Cornell University. Pro-Hamas activists in New York overtook Grand Central Station causing extensive damage. In California, a pro-Israeli protestor was killed in an altercation with a pro-Palestinian protestor who now faces charges. Numerous similar scenarios have played out in recent weeks especially on college campuses around the country. On these campuses, Jewish students do not feel safe, and many are afraid to exhibit their Jewish identity.

Every Georgian deserves to feel safe. Every Georgian deserves to BE safe. This is true no matter your race, gender, faith or sexual orientation. As I talk to my friends throughout the state, I have a deep appreciation for the level of anxiety that exists in the wake of events around the world. If you see or experience activity that you feel rises to the level of criminality, please use our office as a resource. We will work with the appropriate law enforcement agencies to investigate.

Currently, Georgia does have laws against disorderly conduct, inciting a riot as well as domestic terrorism on the books. Breaking these laws at a synagogue, on a college campus, or wherever a Georgian is criminally threatened should not be tolerated.

My office is currently analyzing ways to strengthen the laws in Georgia. For example, there is a federal statute that prohibits the material support for terrorist organizations. A number of states have implemented laws that mirror that same prohibition. Florida cited their state statute when they disbanded the Students for Justice in Palestine from their public universities. My colleague in Virginia is investigating student groups under their version of this law as well. Unfortunately, Georgia does not have this law on the books yet, but one of my legislative priorities is to work with our friends in the Georgia Legislature to enact a similar law.

I will never understand the reaction from those who speak in favor of the terrorism that was committed against Israel. As long as it is protected speech, I will use my First Amendment rights to voice my disagreements. My office will keep a diligent eye open for when the red line of free speech is crossed. Any activity that amounts to terroristic threats, material support for terrorism, or other unlawful behavior should never be tolerated, and I will work with our federal, state and local law enforcement agencies and prosecutors to help ensure it is not.

Chris Carr was re-elected as Georgia’s Attorney General in November 2022. Then-Governor Nathan Deal first appointed him to the role in 2016.