A new California bill, AB 1535, seeks to classify political affiliation as a protected characteristic in hate crime laws to combat political violence. Named after murdered political figures Melissa Hortman and Charlie Kirk, the bill aims to promote free speech and protect individuals from being targeted due to their political beliefs. Currently, political affiliation is protected in civil contexts, but not in criminal hate crime statutes. Similar legislation has also been proposed in Washington amid rising concerns over political violence.
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