The Maryland office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) today strongly condemned Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ defamatory, unconstitutional, Israel First smear attacks against local CAIR chapters, and expressed solidarity with colleagues at CAIR-Florida and CAIR-Texas fighting against the politically motivated assaults targeting their essential civil rights work.
SEE: CAIR, CAIR-Florida Tell Ron DeSantis ‘See You in Court’ After Unconstitutional and Defamatory ‘Israel First Political Stunt’
Muslim group CAIR to sue Florida Governor Ron DeSantis over ‘terror’ label (Al Jazeera)
CAIR Files Public Records Request on Gov. DeSantis’s Executive Order Targeting CAIR and Florida Muslims
CAIR LDF & MLFA Sue Texas Governor Greg Abbott To Block Enforcement of “Unconstitutional, Defamatory” Proclamation Targeting CAIR-Texas
CAIR Seeks Records of Texas Governor’s Communications with Anti-Muslim Extremists and Israel Officials
On Dec. 8, Gov. DeSantis issued an unfounded, unlawful order declaring CAIR-Florida a terrorist group – mirroring Gov. Abbott’s move weeks earlier. These coordinated attacks are part of an Israel-first, Islamophobic smear campaign triggered by rising anti-genocide sentiment, and they mark yet another effort by officials to suppress free speech and mute criticism of Israel.
In a statement, CAIR’s Maryland Director Zainab Chaudry said:
“These type of reckless witch-hunts are designed to intimidate and silence American Muslim institutions, and they are backfiring as more and more Americans see through them and donate to support CAIR. For decades, CAIR offices across the country have protected constitutional rights, fought discrimination, uplifted marginalized communities, and built bridges across faiths and backgrounds. No smear campaign will erase that record, and no attempt to intimidate any of our offices will succeed.
“Shame on American politicians who cowardly prioritize political favoritism toward a genocidal foreign state guilty of egregious crimes against humanity, over the civil liberties, safety, and dignity of Americans they were elected to serve. These deplorable efforts to silence or erase our colleagues’ voices only strengthen our resolve, deepen our unity, and reaffirm the critical importance of our work at a time when American Muslims face rising bigotry and political scapegoating.”
CAIR and its local offices are American non-profit organizations that operate in full compliance with federal, state and local laws. Governors Abbott and DeSantis’ actions have no basis in law or fact.
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
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CONTACT: CAIR Maryland Director Zainab Chaudry, zchaudry@cair.com, 410-971-6062; 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