The Council on American-Islamic Relations, known as CAIR, has suspended its operations in Florida after a federal judge rejected its emergency request to stop the state from labeling the organization and its Florida chapter as domestic terrorist organizations.
CAIR sued Gov. Ron DeSantis, arguing that the designation violates the First Amendment and federal due process protections. The judge’s ruling denied the request for emergency relief, according to the report.
Attorney General James Uthmeier praised the decision on social media, calling it a “great win” for the solicitor general’s office and for the people of Florida.
In a statement on its website, CAIR said Florida officials have unconstitutionally targeted the group and CAIR-Florida under a new state law. The organization said it has filed a federal lawsuit and remains confident in its case.
The case is one of the first tests of the new designation law, and it affects Florida residents and groups across the state, including those in South Florida who work with CAIR’s local chapter.
