Dunwoody Police Chief Billy Grogan said the other day that no charges will be filed against people who left anti-Semitic flyers in predominantly Jewish neighborhoods of Dunwoody and Sandy Springs. The chief said after “a thorough investigation“ and “discussing this with the District Attorney’s office and City Solicitor’s Office,” no charges can be filed because the flyers didn’t contain a threat or any other actionable language.
“It’s a free speech issue,” Grogan said.
This is a disappointment to a bipartisan group of lawmakers in the House of Representatives who are pushing House Bill 30 that would expand Georgia’s hate crimes law to cover criminal acts motivated by anti-Semitism.
The legislation, backed by GOP Rep. John Carson and Democrat Rep. Esther Panitch, attempts to define anti-Semitism so that would be included in the present hate crimes law. Among other things it would prohibit usage of the Nazi swastika, symbol of the German Third Reich from 1933 to 1945, if it was tied with an intent to terrorize.
One of those who received a flyer at her home recently was Panitch, the only Jewish member of the General Assembly. The House Judiciary Committee passed the measure and it could soon go to a vote in the full House.
