Minnesota’s ‘Orwellian’ plan would mean claiming Covid leaked from Chinese lab is a ‘hate incident’

Minnesota has been criticized for an “Orwellian” scheme that would mean claiming Covid leaked from a lab in China would be registered as a “hate incident.”

State lawmakers want to allow people to report alleged “bias-related incidents” that don’t fall under criminal acts.

But critics say the bill, introduced in January, threatens freedom of speech and in effect creates “thought crime.”

In a debate Wednesday, Minnesota Republican state representative Harry Niska asked his Democratic counterpart Samantha Vang, who is sponsoring the bill, whether the argument that Covid leaked from a Chinese lab could be included in the proposed “bias registry.”

Vang responded by saying that while not all incidents are considered violent or criminal, such rhetoric would be considered “bias motivated” and therefore “a biased incident.” Niska said her response was “deeply disturbing.”

The theory that the virus came from a laboratory in Wuhan gained credence after FBI Director Christopher Wray said in February that the agency believes Covid-19 “most likely” originated in a “Chinese government-controlled laboratory”

Officials have said that the registry would help give lawmakers a better idea of ​​the volume and nature of bias incidents, which would inform awareness and education in the community.

But DailyMail.com understands that if an individual’s name is reported to the database, it will be held as “protected data” by the Minnesota Department of Human Rights.

This means that their names cannot be made public, but there are no guarantees that the information will not be used against them by the state.

Under Minnesota law, certain crimes are subject to increased penalties if they were motivated by prejudice against certain groups.

The bill would also expand the categories of “crimes motivated by bias” to include bias against an individual because of their gender identity.

Niska pressed Vang if anyone wearing an “I love JK Rowling” shirt would be considered a “bias.”

“If a Minnesota man wears a t-shirt that says “I love JK Rowling” and someone sees that and reports it to the Minnesota Department of Human Rights as an example of gender identity or gender expression bias, it is that something the Minnesota Department of Human Rights should put in this bias database?’ he asked.

Vang dodged the question, saying it was a better answer by lawyers, adding, “I’m not going to say yes or no to that question.”

Republican state Representative Walter Hudson has previously warned that the bill, which would amend state law House File 181, could pose a threat to free speech.

“It seems very clear, based on their focus on motivation, that they’re more concerned about what’s going on in people’s minds, what’s protected speech, and that’s thought crime,” he said. Fox News digital in March.

Rep. Vang evaded a question whether wearing an ‘I love JK Rowling’ shirt would be considered a ‘bias incident’ under the new bill

Vang has previously said the bill is “personal” to her “as an Asian American woman” and was triggered in part by an increase in verbal and physical attacks against Asian Americans during the pandemic.

“During the pandemic, with the rhetoric used to blame Asian Americans for the coronavirus, not only I but the Asian American community felt unsafe for the first time in a long time,” she added.

The origin of the Covid virus remains a mystery.

The theory that it may have leaked from a Chinese lab in Wuhan was originally dismissed as conspiracy.

But in February, it gained credibility after that FBI Director Christopher Wray said the agency believes Covid-19 “most likely” originated in a “Chinese government-controlled laboratory.”