[NOTE FOR TEXAS RESIDENTS: The action alert below is specifically for Texans. If you live in Texas, your voice is urgently needed. State lawmakers and the Texas Congressional Delegation must hear directly from their constituents in order to counter Governor Abbott’s unconstitutional and anti-Muslim proclamation. Texans are encouraged to use the message below to contact their elected officials immediately.]
Join the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), CAIR-Texas, and CAIR Action in calling on members of the Texas Legislature and the Texas Congressional Delegation to immediately and publicly reject Governor Greg Abbott’s dangerous, unconstitutional, and bigoted proclamation targeting the Muslim community and attempting to label CAIR and CAIR-Texas as “foreign terrorist organizations.”
Governor Abbott’s proclamation is built on debunked anti-Muslim conspiracy theories, fabricated statements, and inflammatory accusations, including the false claim that CAIR-Texas is trying to impose “Sharia law” on Texas. These baseless charges reflect a blatant misuse of state power to intimidate and demonize an entire religious minority.
The Governor has escalated this attack by misusing state authority to falsely claim that some Muslim groups, including CAIR, can no longer own land in Texas. This authoritarian stunt endangers the rights, safety, and dignity of every Muslim in the state.
While CAIR and CAIR-Texas have joined with MLFA to sue Governor Abbott to block enforcement of this unconstitutional and defamatory proclamation, legal action alone will not end the climate of anti-Muslim hysteria being fueled at the highest levels of state government. Texans need their elected officials to step forward, show courage, and defend their constituents before this rhetoric translates into real-world violence.
The groups note that over 40 prominent civic orgs, elected officials, and individuals have also issued statements condemning Abbott.
URGE TEXAS LAWMAKERS TO DEFEND THE MUSLIM COMMUNITY
This moment demands a clear, unambiguous response from state and federal leaders. Texans across the state are calling on lawmakers to:
1. Publicly reject Governor Abbott’s unconstitutional proclamation. No governor has the power to designate American nonprofits as “terrorist organizations,” and targeting a religious minority violates core First Amendment protections.
2. Condemn the Governor’s anti-Muslim bigotry and conspiracy theories. False narratives about “Sharia law” and Muslim infiltration have fueled hate crimes for decades and must be recognized as deliberate fearmongering.
3. Affirm the right of CAIR-Texas and all Muslim and civil rights organizations to operate without state harassment or political retaliation.
4. Reject rhetoric portraying Muslims as an internal enemy. Claims that Muslims are “trying to take over Texas” echo language used before major hate crimes, including arson, mosque attacks, and fatal shootings.
5. Stand publicly with Texas Muslim families who are being targeted. Every elected official has a responsibility to reassure their Muslim constituents that they will not be treated as second-class citizens or enemies of the state.
6. Voice support for CAIR, CAIR-Texas, and MLFA’s lawsuit challenging Governor Abbott’s unhinged and unconstitutional proclamation, his abuse of state power, and his politically motivated investigations into the Muslim community.
WHY IT MATTERS
Governor Abbott is attempting to weaponize state power against a religious minority. History is clear: when governments single out a faith group with fabricated threats and hostile labels, it opens the door to vigilante violence, state surveillance, and deep civil rights abuses.
Abbott’s attempt to silence dissent and intimidate citizens for opposing the Israeli genocide and demanding better standards of living. Standing with CAIR means standing for every American’s right to free speech.
CAIR, CAIR-Texas, and MLFA will take the battle to the courts. Now, Texans must take the fight to the halls of power. It is the only way to protect the rights of all Texans.
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DRAFT MESSAGES
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Subject: Defend Texas Muslims From Gov. Abbott’s Anti-Muslim Hysteria
Members of the Texas Legislature,
Texas is facing a grave civil-rights crisis. Governor Abbott’s recent proclamation – built on debunked anti-Muslim conspiracy theories, fabricated statements, and false claims that CAIR-Texas is attempting to impose “Sharia law” – represents an unprecedented misuse of state power to target and intimidate an entire religious minority.
The Governor has escalated this attack by falsely asserting that Muslim organizations, including CAIR, can no longer own land in Texas. This claim has no basis in state or federal law and directly threatens the constitutional rights, safety, and dignity of Texas Muslims.
Texans across the state are raising the alarm and calling on their elected leaders to:
- Publicly reject Governor Abbott’s unconstitutional proclamation: No governor has the power to designate American nonprofits as “terrorist organizations,” and targeting a religious minority violates core First Amendment protections.
- Condemn the Governor’s anti-Muslim bigotry and conspiracy theories: False narratives about “Sharia law” and Muslim infiltration have fueled hate crimes for decades and must be recognized as deliberate fearmongering.
- Affirm the right of CAIR-Texas and all Muslim and civil rights organizations to operate without state harassment or political retaliation.
- Reject rhetoric portraying Muslims as an internal enemy: Claims that Muslims are “trying to take over Texas” echo language used before historic hate crimes, including arsons, mosque attacks, and fatal shootings.
- Stand publicly with Texas Muslim families who are being targeted: Every elected official has a responsibility to reassure their Muslim constituents that they will not be treated as second-class citizens or enemies of the state.
- Voice support for CAIR, CAIR-Texas, and MLFA’s lawsuit challenging Governor Abbott’s unhinged and unconstitutional proclamation, his abuse of state power, and his politically motivated investigations into the Muslim community.
Texas Muslims are under attack. Now, Texas lawmakers must stand up for the Constitution and protect the rights of every Texan, including their Muslim constituents.
MSG TO THE TEXAS CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION
Subject: Defend Texas Muslims From Gov. Abbott’s Anti-Muslim Hysteria
Members of the Texas Congressional Delegation,
A constitutional emergency is unfolding in Texas. Governor Abbott has issued a proclamation rooted in fabricated statements and long-debunked anti-Muslim conspiracy theories, smearing CAIR-Texas and the broader Muslim community with false claims of “Sharia law.” He has gone further, asserting – without any legal authority – that Muslim organizations, including CAIR, can no longer own land in the state.
This authoritarian stunt threatens the rights, safety, and dignity of millions of Texans and undermines fundamental constitutional protections.
Texans across the state are calling on their federal representatives to:
- Publicly reject Governor Abbott’s unconstitutional proclamation: No governor may designate American nonprofits as “terrorist organizations.” Singling out a religious minority for punishment violates the Constitution.
- Condemn the Governor’s anti-Muslim bigotry and conspiracy theories: False narratives about “Sharia law” have fueled hate crimes for decades and must be recognized as deliberate tools of fearmongering.
- Affirm the right of CAIR-Texas and all Muslim and civil rights organizations to operate without state harassment or political retaliation.
- Reject rhetoric portraying Muslims as an internal enemy: Claims that Muslims are “trying to take over Texas” mirror language used before historic hate crimes, including arsons, mosque attacks, and fatal shootings.
- Stand publicly with Texas Muslim families who are being targeted: Texans need reassurance that the federal government recognizes this threat and stands firmly on the side of civil rights.
- Voice support for CAIR, CAIR-Texas, and MLFA’s lawsuit challenging Governor Abbott’s unhinged and unconstitutional proclamation, his abuse of state power, and his politically motivated investigations into the Muslim community.
Texas Muslims are under attack. Now, Texas lawmakers must stand up for the Constitution and protect the rights of every Texan, including their Muslim constituents.
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CONTACT: CAIR National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell, 404-285-9530, e-Mitchell@cair.com; CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw, 202-742-6448, rmccaw@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Manager Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, iallison@cair.com