Muslim civil rights and advocacy group also welcomes petition from DropSite
The Florida chapter and national headquarters of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today welcomed condemnations of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ unconstitutional executive order targeting CAIR by State Voices Florida, the NAACP Florida State Conference, the ACLU of Florida, the National Council of Jewish Women, the Florida Council of Churches, the League of Women Voters of Florida, and other major local civil rights, advocacy and faith-based organizations.
Over a dozen civil rights organizations signed a letter condemning Governor DeSantis’ unconstitutional executive order targeting CAIR. CAIR also welcomed a petition distributed by DropSite News opposing DeSantis’ order.
In a statement, CAIR-Florida Interim Executive Director Hiba Rahim said:
“We thank all our colleagues, partners and neighbors who have taken a brave and principled stand against the unconstitutional executive order issued by Governor DeSantis. Across our state, Americans who believe in the Constitution and justice for all stand united in opposition to Governor DeSantis’ attempts to silence free speech and civil rights activism. Governor DeSantis and anyone else who would seek to violate the First Amendment by smearing and silencing civil rights groups should know that the people of Florida will not stand for the targeting of the Florida Muslim community or any other Floridians.”
CAIR noted that Akeel & Valentine, CAIR Legal Defense Fund (CAIR LDF), the Muslim Legal Fund of America (MLFA) and the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) recently filed a lawsuit challenging Governor DeSantis’ executive order.
The following organizations signed on to the letter:
State Voices Florida
ACLU of Florida
Common Cause of Florida
League of Women Voters of Florida
National Council of Jewish Women
NAACP Florida State Conference
Advancement Project
Florida Chapter National Organization for Women
Florida Council of Churches
Equality Florida
Florida for All
The Workers Circle
Harriet Tubman Freedom Fighters
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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