Milwaukee, WI. March 17, 2026— The Wisconsin Muslim Civic Alliance (WMCA) strongly condemns the Wisconsin State Senate’s decision to advance the IHRA-related bill today without a recorded roll call vote, raising serious concerns about transparency, accountability, and democratic integrity.
At a time when legislation directly impacting constitutional rights is under consideration, the absence of a recorded vote denies Wisconsinites the ability to know where their elected officials stand.
“This is deeply troubling,” said Fauzia Qureshi, Executive Director of WMCA. “When lawmakers move forward on a bill with far-reaching implications for free speech without putting their votes on record, it undermines public trust and the very foundation of our democracy.
We are already seeing the consequences, students are afraid to speak, and advocacy is being mislabeled. This bill risks silencing voices and criminalizing constitutionally protected expression.”
The IHRA definition has been widely criticized by civil rights organizations for its potential to conflate legitimate political speech with antisemitism, particularly in relation to advocacy around Palestinian human rights. WMCA warns that, if enacted, this bill could have a chilling effect across campuses and communities statewide.
Fatima Malik, Policy Lead at WMCA, added:
“What happened today should concern every Wisconsinite, regardless of political affiliation. Advancing a bill that impacts our fundamental freedoms without a recorded vote is a failure of transparency and accountability.
This legislation risks being used to silence legitimate advocacy and dissent, particularly among students and community members who are already feeling targeted. Laws that affect constitutional rights must be debated openly and voted on publicly.”
With the bill now headed to Governor Tony Evers’ desk, WMCA is calling for an immediate and full veto.
“If signed into law, this legislation will not stop in Wisconsin,” Qureshi added. “It will set a dangerous precedent nationwide, one that threatens the fundamental rights of Americans to speak, organize, and advocate freely. We urge Governor Evers to stand on the side of the Constitution and veto this bill in its entirety.”
Fatima Malik concluded:
“Wisconsinites deserve accountability from their elected officials and protection of their First Amendment rights. We are urging Governor Evers to veto this bill and ensure that transparency, civil liberties, and democratic values are upheld.”
Call to Action
WMCA urges community members and allies to:
- Contact Governor Evers and demand a full veto
- Call and email his office today
- Speak out in defense of free speech and democratic accountability
“This moment requires action. Silence is not an option.”
The Wisconsin Muslim Civic Alliance
