Two legislative proposals unveiled by a Republican state lawmaker in California are designed as a counterattack against “cancel culture.”
But Democrats thrive on canceling anything that goes against what they believe in so they are not happy about the proposals, one of them even accused the Republican of trying to promote “racist, pro-domestic terrorism, xenophobic, misogynistic views.”
State Sen. Melissa Melendez, R-Lake Elsinore, claims a “climate of intolerance has been established” in the Golden State – so she says she political affiliation should be a protected class under state law so residents can’t face discrimination over their political beliefs.
She says her “Diversity of Thought Act” would protect people from discrimination over politics when seeking housing, bank loans or employment by amending the Fair Employment and Housing Act.
Her second bill would help protect students from facing bullying over their political views.
“Cancel culture and the efforts to silence differing opinions and voices should be a growing concern for all of us,” Melendez — a U.S. Navy veteran, small business owner, and mother of five children — said in a statement, according to the Los Angeles Times.
But Democratic state Assemblymember Lorena Gonzalez of San Diego – who drew attention last May for her “F— Elon Musk” tweet in reaction to the Tesla CEO threatening to pull jobs out of California – fired back at Melendez.
“Your choice to hate & actively pursue hate does not make you part of a protected class,” Gonzalez wrote on Twitter.
I don’t know who needs to hear this today, but: Your racist, pro-domestic terrorism, xenophobic, misogynistic views do not warrant protection “from discrimination.” Your choice to hate & actively pursue hate does not make you part of a protected class.
— Lorena Gonzalez (@LorenaSGonzalez) February 16, 2021
Just three months before her anti-Musk tweet, Gonzalez was caught on video shouting “F— Donald Trump!” at a campaign event for then-presidential candidate Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass.
@LorenaAD80 needs new 👓.
Freelancers showed up a an @ewarren event w/@JulianCastro in Barrio Logan & she confused us with Trump supporters!
I mean we had BIG SIGNS saying #fixAB5 & #freedom2freelance .
She must have been quite confused cause she even yelled “F*ck Trump!” 🙈 pic.twitter.com/2fSHJdtTxL— Gloria M. Rivera (@BlueUrpi) February 24, 2020
Under Melendez’s proposed bills, political affiliation would be considered a “protected class” and would be shielded from discrimination just as residents are protected legally because of race, gender, or sexual orientation.
