Photo: Mick Haupt / Unsplash
The Council on American-Islamic Relations has suspended its operations in Florida after the state’s designation of the organization as a domestic terrorist group took effect Thursday.
The suspension followed a Wednesday ruling by Chief U.S. District Judge Allen Winsor of the Northern District of Florida, who declined to temporarily block the designation while CAIR challenges it in federal court. The ACLU, which represents CAIR and its Florida chapter, said the groups will appeal.
“We have suspended our operations in Florida because of Gov. DeSantis and other state officials’ baseless and unconstitutional enforcement of the state’s unprecedented new ‘domestic terrorist organization’ laws against us,” CAIR-Florida said in a website statement.
In his November 4 order, Winsor granted limited protection for the provision of legal services to CAIR and CAIR-Florida. He barred Florida prosecutors from enforcing the material-support law against the groups, their employees or third parties based on legal services provided to them. The injunction takes effect upon posting a $1,000 bond.
The judge said the ruling did not decide whether CAIR is a terrorist organization. The groups had not shown sufficient legal grounds at this stage to halt the designation while litigation continues.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis welcomed the development. “Florida is holding CAIR accountable,” he said.
DeSantis and the Florida Cabinet voted September 29 to designate CAIR and CAIR-Florida as domestic terrorist organizations. The designations were published in the Florida Administrative Register on October 6 and took effect November 5, according to the court order.
Florida officials have accused CAIR of maintaining extremist ties. CAIR rejects the allegations and contends the designation violates its First Amendment and due-process rights.
Under Florida law, designated organizations face restrictions on public funds and government contracts. Public institutions may not use their resources to support or promote such groups, and individuals who knowingly provide material support may face prosecution.
The litigation continues as CAIR and its Florida chapter challenge the state designation and its consequences.
JBizNews Desk | Florida
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