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A distinguished Muslim advocacy group is taking Texas to court docket, arguing that Gov. Greg Abbott’s choice to model it a “overseas terrorist group” tramples each the U.S. Structure and state legislation.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations’ (CAIR) Dallas-Fort Value and Austin chapters filed a federal lawsuit Thursday looking for to overturn Abbott’s proclamation issued earlier within the week.
“This try and punish the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy group just because Governor Abbott disagrees with its views just isn’t solely opposite to america Structure, however finds no assist in any Texas legislation,” the group mentioned in its lawsuit.
Based in 1994, CAIR operates 25 chapters nationwide, together with a small Texas workers of eight staff and two contractors, based on the submitting.
TEXAS GOV ABBOTT DECLARES CAIR, MUSLIM BROTHERHOOD AS TERRORIST GROUPS, PREVENTING LAND PURCHASES
The Council on American-Islamic Relations’ (CAIR) Dallas-Fort Value and Austin chapters requested a federal choose to strike down the declaration from the governor. (Brandon Bell/Getty Photos)
“CAIR-Texas and the Texas Muslim group are standing up for our constitutional rights by instantly confronting Greg Abbott’s lawless assault on our civil rights,” CAIR-Texas mentioned in a press release. “We aren’t and won’t be intimidated by smear campaigns launched by Israel First politicians like Mr. Abbott. Mr. Abbott is defaming us and different American Muslims as a result of we’re efficient advocates for justice right here and overseas. We plan to proceed exercising our constitutional rights, defending civil rights, and talking fact to energy, whether or not in protection of free speech, spiritual freedom and racial equality right here in Texas or in protection of human rights overseas.”
Abbott’s order prolonged the “terrorist” label to the Muslim Brotherhood, though federal authorities have by no means categorized both group that method.
The governor’s decree additionally bars CAIR from buying land within the Lone Star State beneath a brand new statute aimed toward curbing purchases tied to “overseas adversaries.”
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s proclamation states that CAIR is blocked from buying land within the Lone Star State. (Antranik Tavitian/Reuters)
The group’s submitting contends Abbott relied on “inflammatory statements with no foundation in reality,” selectively citing remarks by associates to color CAIR as sympathetic to terrorism.
“The lawsuit we now have filed at the moment is our first step in direction of defeating Governor Abbott once more in order that our nation protects free speech and due course of for all Individuals,” CAIR Litigation Director and Common Counsel Lena Masri mentioned in a press release. “No civil rights organizations are protected if a governor can baselessly and unilaterally declare any of them terrorist teams, ban them from shopping for land, and threaten them with closure. We’ve overwhelmed Greg Abbott’s assaults on the First Modification earlier than, and God prepared, we are going to do it once more now.”
The Muslim Authorized Fund of America additionally mentioned it’s “proud to defend the constitutional rights of CAIR-Texas and the suitable of all Texans to interact in free speech and uphold civil rights with out going through lawless and defamatory assaults by Greg Abbott.”
“Mr. Abbott’s unconstitutional proclamation undermines the very foundational notions of due course of that our system relies upon upon and it should not stand,” mentioned Muslim Authorized Fund of America legal professional Charlie Swift. “For the sake of our nation’s primary freedoms, Greg Abbott’s newest assault on the American individuals have to be defeated.”
ANTI-ISLAM PROTESTERS, MUSLIMS CLASH IN DEARBORN, MICHIGAN, AFTER MAN ATTEMPTS TO BURN QURAN
CAIR accused the governor of counting on “inflammatory statements that haven’t any foundation in reality.” (Ron Jenkins/Getty Photos)
Earlier this yr, Texas Republicans sought to cease a Muslim-centered deliberate group round one of many state’s largest mosques close to Dallas.
Abbott and different Republican state officers opened investigations into the event linked to the East Plano Islamic Heart (EPIC), claiming the group is trying to create a Muslim-exclusive group that might implement Islamic legislation.
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EPIC Metropolis representatives known as the assaults alleging Islamic legislation deceptive, harmful and with out foundation.
The U.S. Justice Division closed a federal civil rights investigation into the deliberate group with out bringing any costs or lawsuits.
The Related Press contributed to this report.
