Indiana
Indiana AG: We Must Stop the Evil Forces of Antisemitism | Opinion
Antisemitism is on the rise across America.
We are seeing it with riots at college campuses, protests in our streets, and threats against our Jewish friends and neighbors.
This spike began with the brutal terrorist attacks by Hamas against Israel on Oct. 7, and Israel’s subsequent justified efforts to defend herself and her people.
Spencer Platt/Getty Images
In the three months following the Oct. 7 massacre in Israel, the Anti-Defamation League recorded 3,291 antisemitic incidents—a level unprecedented during any previous three-month period over the last decade and a 361 percent increase compared to the same period the previous year.
Even here in our beloved Indiana, we have seen far too many vile expressions of hatred and prejudice against Jewish individuals.
A significant portion of the vitriol directed against our Jewish brothers and sisters has erupted in the form of campus protests and encampments on the grounds of public universities—including in places such as Dunn Meadow on the main campus of Indiana University in Bloomington.
Although often veiled in the guise of support for Palestinian innocents, the words and actions directed against Jewish people have all too often crossed the line from legitimate expressions of opinion into something far more sinister—harassment, threats, and intimidation that endanger Jewish people’s safety and violate our laws.
As Indiana’s attorney general, I have vowed from the beginning of these protests to stand firm in upholding the law.
Last May, I sent a letter to college officials warning them they are duty-bound to enforce Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 by combating all forms of antisemitism on their campuses—or risk losing their federal funding. I further reminded them that they must ensure that student groups do not materially support foreign terrorist organizations.
House Enrolled Act 1179, which took effect July 1, requires state educational institutions to adopt policies to prohibit providing funds or other resources to foreign terrorist organizations or state sponsors of terror.
When spring semester concluded earlier this year, some of the most troubling antisemitic activities on college campuses seemed to subside.
With classes back in session, however, some signs point to a resumption of protests. (After winning control of student government earlier this year, for example, pro-Palestinian activists at the University of Michigan now continue to withhold funds for student activities until the university divests from companies doing business with Israel.)
At the same time, we have seen that antisemitism is an evil stain that spreads beyond the confines of college campuses into the fabric of general society—and that we must deal with this ugliness wherever it arises.
Therefore, my team and I this month are taking two important additional actions.
First, in an official advisory opinion issued Sept. 10, we explain how the U.S. Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Indiana Civil Rights Act provide 1) statutory protections protecting students and employees in educational settings and 2) the authority and obligations of schools and universities to combat antisemitism in educational settings. You may read our advisory opinion here.
Secondly, our office is leading the effort to combat the disturbing rise in antisemitic behavior by providing important legal education and law enforcement training on Sept. 20. Learn more here.
Beyond these immediate actions, we will continue fighting the scourge of antisemitism in other ways because few notions are more antithetical to the values on which America was founded.
Religious tolerance and freedom of worship have been central to America’s laws and values since colonial times. Many of the first European settlers of North America—and numerous immigrants and refugees since—came here to escape religious persecution in their home countries.
After achieving independence, Americans enshrined those values in the U.S. Constitution, which provides strong protections for religious freedom against encroachment by government authorities.
So, we must keep fighting antisemitism—just as we must fight other forms of hate, prejudice and racism.
We must fight the forces of darkness that would undermine the values that make America a beacon of light.
Each of us—wherever we are and whatever our calling in life—must stand on the right side in these kinds of conflicts.
We must defend good against evil—and the rule of law against illegal forms of harassment, threats and intimidation.
We each must do our duty.
As Indiana’s attorney general, I intend to do mine.
Todd Rokita is Indiana’s attorney general.
The views expressed in this article are the writer’s own.
The Indiana state budget agency says revenues for April fell short of projections by more than $50 million.
Even though it was the first time in five months that revenue for the stay had failed to meet projections, Jane King, a NASDAQ analyst, says revenue collections for the state only missed by 1.7%. However, total collections rose more than 10% compared to the same month 2024.
After what King calls a “chaotic legislative session,” new towing laws have been passed by the Indiana General Assembly. Taking effect next month, new regulations for the towing industry will hold towing providers accountable, cap fees, and penalize “bad actors.”
The Indiana Dunes tourism region has unveiled a new initiative to weave together the region’s industrial heritage, cultural stories, and local communities. A host of towns, businesses, and residents along US Highway 12 in northern Indiana aim to build regional pride while highlighting the area’s balance between nature and industry.
Lilly is expanding its 360 Initiative partnership with Purdue University. The collaboration will accelerate pharmaceutical innovations. King says the partnership has the potential to be the largest ever industry-academic collaboration in the country. One goal is to bridge the gap between lab discoveries and clinical applications, while creating a more sustainable and efficient supply chain.
The stage has been set for what should be a thrilling Eastern Conference Finals.
After obliterating the Boston Celtics at home by 38 points to close out the series, the New York Knicks will host the Indiana Pacers in Game 1 of the ECF on Wednesday.
This is the first time since 2000 that the Knicks have made it to the Eastern Conference Finals. A year prior was the last time they appeared in the NBA Finals. As for Indiana, Rick Carlisle’s squad got swept in last year’s ECF by the eventual champion Boston Celtics.
The Pacers have only one Finals appearance — and it occurred in 2000. Indiana defeated New York coincidentally before losing to the Los Angeles Lakers in six games.
Suffice it to say, but both of these franchises are starving for a shot at an NBA Title.
Read more: Kendrick Perkins Doesn’t Believe in Pacers Entering Eastern Conference Finals
Indiana and New York squared off versus one another three times in the regular season. Here are the scores of those games:
New York wins 123-98 (October 25th)
Indiana wins 132-121 (November 10th)
New York wins 128-115 (February 11th)
The Knicks won the only matchup at Madison Square Garden. The teams then split the other two games played at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. As one can see, none of these games were particularly close.
Will a similar story play out this way moving forward? It could depending on the game, where players may be fatigued on short rest, resulting in a blowout. This narrative has been occurring more and more in recent years, given the taxing level of playoff basketball.
Surely there are some things to take away from these initial meetings. At the same time, two of them occurred before Christmas. These teams are playing at a far greater level now compared to back then.
Indiana is a far deeper team. With the Pacers looking to push tempo and run the Knicks ragged in transition, there’s a world where Indiana could capitalize and punish New York by a substantial margin if Tom Thibodeau runs his team into the ground minutes-wise. There’s only one day of rest in-between each game of this series.
With a short bench, New York likely will be forced to log heavy minutes with its starters. Throw on top the emotion and grind of these games, and seeing a couple blowouts wouldn’t necessarily be a shock.
At the same time, these are two highly-competitive squads. For the fans’ sake across the NBA, let’s hope we get to see seven games coming down to the wire.
More Indiana Pacers news: Pacers’ Surprising Secret Weapon Has Fueled Dangerous Playoff Run
Pacers’ Tyrese Haliburton Responds to LeBron James Praise
For more news and notes on the Indiana Pacers, visit Indiana Pacers on SI.
The New York Knicks are in the Eastern Conference Finals after beating the defending champion Boston Celtics in Game 6 at Madison Square Garden.
The Knicks have officially gotten over the hump that has ended their season in each of the past two years, and they are set to face the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals.
In an ironic twist of fate, the Pacers were the Knicks’ opponent the last time New York was in the Conference Finals in 2000.
Indiana won the first two games at home while New York answered by evening the series 2-2 with a pair of wins at Madison Square Garden. The Pacers took control of the series again in Game 5 and closed out with a win at MSG in Game 6 to advance to the NBA Finals, where they would eventually lose to Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O’Neal and the Los Angeles Lakers.
That year marked the last time the Pacers made the NBA Finals. The Knicks are looking for their first Finals visit since 1999, where they made a historic run as an 8-seed, but lost to Tim Duncan and the San Antonio Spurs.
Now, one of the two rivals will end their long 25+ year drought as they meet in the Eastern Conference Finals again.
Make sure you bookmark Knicks on SI for the latest news, exclusive interviews, film breakdowns as and so much more!
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