Call on Maryland Governor Wes Moore to Repeal Unconstitutional Anti-BDS Executive Order Violating Free Speech Rights (CAIR Action Alert)

(BALTIMORE, MD, 11/13/2023) – The Maryland office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) is calling on all Marylanders who value free speech and the right to peaceful protest to join CAIR, Jewish Voices for Peace Baltimore, United Maryland Muslim Council and Muslim Voices Coalition in urging Maryland Governor Wes Moore to repeal the unconstitutional anti-BDS Executive Order 01.01.2017.25, enacted in October 2017, which unconstitutionally restricts the right to free speech and political expression within the State of Maryland.   

TAKE ACTION: Sign and Share CAIR Action Alert 

https://action.cair.com/a/repeal_anti-bds_in_md

This Executive Order requires individuals and businesses entering into a contract with the State of Maryland to first pledge not to boycott the state of Israel. It dangerously chills free speech and undermines constitutional rights. It also infringes on the fundamental rights of business and corporations to engage in peaceful protest and express their viewpoints.  

“In recent weeks, Israel has bombarded Gaza and killed over 11,000 Palestinian civilians including over 4,500 children. It is imperative that our government protects constituents’ rights to express criticism of foreign governments and engage in peaceful protest,” said CAIR Office in Maryland Director Zainab Chaudry.

In October, the director of the New York office of the UN high commissioner for human rights, Craig Mokhiber, resigned from his post after decades of working with the United Nations, citing the UN’s failure to prevent the “genocide of Palestinian civilians in Gaza under Israeli bombardment” with support from the United States, U.K. and other European countries “wholly complicit in the horrific assault.” 

SEE: Top UN official in New York steps down citing ‘genocide’ of Palestinian civilians

https://amp.theguardian.com/world/2023/oct/31/un-official-resigns-israel-hamas-war-palestine-new-york

CAIR is America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, 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 Office in Maryland Director Zainab Chaudry, 410-971-6062, zchaudry@cair.com