As state legislators from around the country, we are aware that in addition to upholding state laws and the U.S. Constitution, an important part of our job is serving as role models.
As Jewish state legislators, we are dismayed and outraged that New Hampshire Representative Dawn Johnson has inspired hate through her anti-Semitic social media post. Earlier this month, Representative Johnson posted on Facebook a link to a website made famous for its racist, anti-Semitic and intolerant content. The link took readers to a story promoting a discredited conspiracy theory along with an altered cartoon representing Jewish tropes that have been used to justify violence against the Jewish community throughout history. When Facebook’s filters against such content removed Representative Johnson’s post, she doubled down, posting a photo of her first attempt, circumventing the filter.
“The National Association of Jewish Legislators (NAJL) condemns New Hampshire State Representative Dawn Johnson for using her public platform to promote hateful stereotypes about Jews. We also call on the elected officials and community leaders in New Hampshire who have chosen complicity over action to stand up and take action against such hate,” said NAJL Co-President Representative Tana Senn (WA).
Expressions of hatred toward minority groups of people is a crucial stone on the path to tragedy. This has been proven again and again. In the 1930s, Adolf Hitler blamed Jews for Germany’s struggles. In 2018, a man scrolled through message boards filled with anti-Semitic and racist conspiracy theories and then murdered 11 Jews as they worshipped in Pittsburgh’s Tree of Life synagogue.
Rep. Johnson’s actions, paired with her failure to take responsibility for them, undercuts government’s ability to conduct its most foundational duty: to represent and protect each and every person.
Johnson’s party leadership in the New Hampshire legislature can mitigate the damage she has created by acknowledging it and taking disciplinary action. To do so would show moral clarity, leadership, and decency. To refuse sends a disheartening message to those who already feel vulnerable in a climate that is increasingly hostile toward minority groups. It would also send a tacit message to those who stoke the fires of hate. Days after Johnson’s post, the menorah on Dartmouth’s campus in Hanover, NH was vandalized.
“We stand with the New Hampshire legislators and community leaders who have called for Rep. Johnson’s resignation. We call on Dawn Johnson to resign from both of her elected positions and, if she fails to do so, we call on her party leadership at the local, state and national levels to take strong disciplinary action,” said co-President Assemblyman David Weprin (NY).
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NAJL is a nonpartisan association of more than 240 Jewish state legislators across the country. We come together to promote Jewish values, share ideas and challenges, network and advocate.
Cc: Republican National Committee
Republican Jewish Coalition
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