I am writing as your constituent to urgently express my concern about SB-509.
While I appreciate the goal of protecting Californians from foreign harassment, the bill’s vague language risks unfairly targeting Indian American and American Hindu communities. Without clear protections, SB-509 could wrongfully criminalize lawful advocacy, cultural expression, and community participation — rights guaranteed by our Constitution.
SB-509, as written, functions like a Trojan Horse. Under the guise of community protection, it risks smuggling in profiling and discrimination against American Hindus, casting suspicion over our cultural and civic activities. It threatens to silence our voices in public life and discourage participation in the very democratic processes that make California strong.
Moreover, issues of transnational repression and foreign interference are already addressed through robust federal laws and enforcement mechanisms. California does not need to replicate federal authority at the state level, especially in ways that could harm minority communities. The necessary tools to address genuine threats already exist, without risking overreach into innocent, constitutionally protected activities.
I respectfully urge you to recognize that federal safeguards are in place, and avoid creating redundant laws that risk unintended harm and vote against SB-509.
Please act now to safeguard the rights of all Californians. I trust in your leadership to uphold our shared values of freedom, diversity, and justice.
