Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) blasted the San Antonio city council ahead of a vote that classified anti-Chinese names for COVID-19 as hate speech, saying they’re “behaving like a lefty college faculty lounge.”
"This coronavirus has held no regard for race, religion, creed, or political boundary. As such, our efforts must meet the indiscriminate nature of COVID-19 with empathy and compassion for all our neighbors," Mayor Ron Nirenberg wrote to council members. "I ask that you consider adopting the attached resolution - which declares that our COVID-19 response efforts will be free of hate and discrimination - at the next Council A-Session."
In the letter, Nirenberg says terms such as “Chinese virus” and “Kung Fu Virus” encourage hate crimes and attacks against the Asian community.
Ahead of the vote, Cruz called the politically-correct resolution “nuts.”
“This is NUTS,” he said on Twitter. “SA City Council behaving like a lefty college faculty lounge, triggered by Chick-fil-A & the words ‘Wuhan virus.’ If they want to investigate someone, start with NYT & CNN who both repeatedly (and rightly) referred to it as ‘the Chinese coronavirus.’”
This is NUTS. SA City Council behaving like a lefty college faculty lounge, triggered by Chick-fil-A & the words “Wuhan virus.” If they want to investigate someone, start with NYT & CNN who both repeatedly (and rightly) referred to it as “the Chinese coronavirus.” #NoSpeechPolice https://t.co/a10BZAvleQ
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) May 7, 2020
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Nirenberg said he was aware of several examples of hate speech and subsequent actions taken against people in the city. He added the resolution wasn't directed at constitutionally protected free speech, as guaranteed by the First Amendment.
"Oh no, not at all. What this is, is a statement of values, as we say we’re a compassionate community," the mayor said, according to WOAI-TV.
The resolution also includes speech directed at the Jewish community, which it says have been targeted with "blame, hate, antisemitic tropes and conspiracy theories about their creating, spreading and profiting from COVID-19." (Fox News)
The resolution passed unanimously, 11 – 0.
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