CAIR-Florida, the state chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, has suspended operations after its designation as a terrorist organization took effect. Local Muslim communities in South Florida say they have lost an important source of support.
The decision to designate CAIR and CAIR-Florida as domestic terrorist organizations was made on Sept. 29 in the cabinet of Gov. Ron DeSantis. The designation took effect Thursday, Nov. 5. The day before, federal Judge Allen Winsor declined to temporarily block the decision while the case proceeds. The court did not rule on whether CAIR is in fact a terrorist organization. The judge granted only narrow protection: prosecutors may not enforce the law against CAIR, its employees or third parties with respect to providing legal services to them.
After the ruling, the organization closed its Tampa office and announced that it was suspending operations in Florida. CAIR said it would appeal, and it is represented in the case by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and the Southern Poverty Law Center. The federal government has never designated CAIR a terrorist organization. The organization says it has never been charged with or convicted of a crime.
CAIR-Florida said it offered free legal assistance to state residents, including people facing discrimination at work or from authorities, and people handling immigration matters. According to the organization, the impact of the closure on the community will be “enormous.”
Jay Shehadeh, a spokesman for the South Florida Muslim Federation, told Local 10 that CAIR-Florida had operated for about 25 years as a civil rights organization serving Muslims. In his view, its absence leaves a gap for people who encounter discrimination. Shehadeh also said he believes pressure from pro-Israel groups is behind the decision. That opinion has not been confirmed by other sources. A Miami resident who spoke to the station and did not want to give her name said the loss of the organization affects all Americans, not just Muslims.
The law under which CAIR was designated a terrorist organization, HB 1471, has been in effect since July 1. Among other things, it limits the use of state funds to support designated organizations and includes provisions concerning public schools and universities. The case will now go to an appeals court.
Source: Local 10
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