Viewpoint: SEIU California Sits Out Fight Against Classroom Censorship

SEIU California routinely uses fighting words. Unfortunately, when was time to “stand up” and “fight back” against legislation that threatens the working conditions of tens of thousands of SEIU education workers, our union’s spirited rhetoric dissipated. SEIU California stood down.

In the final days of the legislative session, AB 715, a dangerous censorship bill with broad implications for California public education, was forced through an abbreviated legislative process and subsequently signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom.

The bill was backed by Israel lobby groups and California Democrats. Its authors claim it’s about fighting antisemitism—but in reality, it’s a dangerous attack on free speech and truthful education across California’s public school system, particularly targeting Ethnic Studies and educators who speak about Palestine.

WE SAW IT COMING

Legislative attacks on Ethnic Studies have a history in our state. In anticipation of renewed attacks in 2025, at the start of the year, members of SEIU Local 1021 began organizing a petition urging SEIU California to oppose any legislation that would censor Ethnic Studies or free speech.

“We educated our co-workers and built coalitions across locals as support steadily grew,” said Local 1021 executive board member Jeffery Dix.

When AB 1468, the first 2025 bill aiming to police Ethnic Studies, was presented, the California Faculty Association (CFA, a local of SEIU) immediately opposed it. We urged SEIU California to do the same. Leadership hesitated. So members mobilized on our own, joining a broad coalition to defeat the bill.

Because it singled out Ethnic Studies, AB 1468 was so unpopular that it was pulled and replaced with a new bill, AB 715, in what's known as a “gut and amend” manuever. This new bill would accomplish the same goals using different mechanisms.

Instead of targeting Ethnic Studies directly, AB 715 creates a complaint procedure allowing anyone to file complaints–-even anonymously–-accusing teachers of antisemitism. It creates a politically appointed Antisemitism Coordinator and uses the deeply problematic National Strategy to Combat Antisemitism, as a working definition, leaving open to complaint anything perceived as criticism of Israel.

This will silence educators who teach about Palestine or the genocide in Gaza, and censor the use of related books and materials that show factual histories.

CONSPICUOUSLY SILENT

Many groups moved swiftly to oppose the bill, including CFA as well as the California Teachers Association, the California Federation of Teachers, the Association of California School Administrators, California School Boards Association, County Superintendents and the ACLU. The California Nurses Association joined in solidarity.

But SEIU California did not, despite months of outreach, education, and pressure from rank-and-file members to make our voices heard.

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While waiting for leadership to act, we attended hearings at the Capitol, made calls, and lobbied lawmakers—all on our own time and resources. Finally, the SEIU State Council issued a decision to remain “neutral”—too late to make a difference anyway. (The State Council is composed of a small number of officers from each SEIU local in the state. The body is empowered to support or oppose statewide legislation.)

As historian Howard Zinn wrote, “To be neutral, to be passive in a situation is to collaborate with whatever is going on.” If SEIU California had joined the fight, we might have defeated this legislation.

At a time when political targeting has resulted in harassment, dismissal and even abduction and detention of academics including SEIU members Sang Hea Kil and Rümeysa Öztürk, this bill only makes educators more vulnerable. SEIU remained silent.

Following the passage of AB 715, angry members traveled to Sacramento with signs and flyers to confront State Council members before their September meeting. Members have yet to receive an official explanation for the betrayal.

REAL CONSEQUENCES

Silence and neutrality have real consequences.

This bill, which mirrors Project Esther, part of the Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025, is a gift to right-wing forces that are already using false claims of antisemitism to control speech and target academics.

AB715 affects more than educators. Approximately 77 percent of California's public K-12 population are students of color. Workers and their families will be affected by this political interference in Ethnic Studies and the atmosphere of fear it will create in schools.

“This kind of censorship may begin with policing Ethnic Studies, but it won’t end there,” said CFA member Dr. Theresa Montaño. If politicians can dictate curriculum and whose voices are heard, all marginalized communities are at risk, including people of color, LGBTQ+ people, and people with disabilities. Political interference will easily spread from the social sciences and humanities to the physical sciences.

“Antisemitism and all forms of hate and discrimination must be fought through solidarity and learning–-not censorship,” says Local 1021 member Lorrie Beth Slonsky, who is Jewish. “Laws like AB 715 won’t build the bridges we need and will erode civil rights.”
SEIU California President David Huerta has promised our members a meeting to discuss how our union can better protect us moving forward. We are eager to have that conversation.

If you are an SEIU member in California, or are experiencing similar struggles in your own state, please contact us at 1021membersforpalestine[at]gmail[dot]com.

Larry Bradshaw, Anne Wolf, and Noga Wizansky are members of SEIU Local 1021.