(Tallahassee, FL) - Florida's chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations has suspended operations after being designated a domestic terrorist organization under a new state law.
The Executive director Hiba Rahim says while CAIR-Florida had to suspend fund raising and shutter it “categorically rejects Florida officials’ baseless designation.”
“Nevertheless, we are heartbroken that we have no choice but to close our doors to protect our staff and people of all faiths who support our work,” she said.
A federal judge denied their injunction request and the organization is appealing.
According to Chief Judge Allen C. Winsor, "the plaintiffs are unlikely to succeed at this stage on their claims that the designations under HB 1471, a new and unprecedented state law, violate their due process and First Amendment rights." However, the judge issued a narrow form of preliminary relief, holding that "Florida prosecutors cannot enforce the law’s penalties against plaintiffs, their employees, or third parties with respect to the provision of legal services to the groups."
Florida officials made the terror designation based on CAIR's alleged ties to Hamas and the Muslim Brotherhood, which CAIR calls and attack on Muslim advocacy.