CAIR suspends Florida operations as designation takes effect

The Council on American-Islamic Relations has suspended its Florida operations after a federal judge declined to block the state’s designation of the organization and its Florida chapter as domestic terrorist organizations. The designation took effect November 5, while CAIR’s lawsuit continues. U.S. District Judge Allen Winsor, of the Northern District of Florida, issued an order on November 4 denying CAIR’s request for broader emergency relief. He granted a narrow injunction protecting CAIR, its employees and third parties providing legal services from prosecution under the state’s material-support law for those services. The injunction takes effect upon the posting of a $1,000 bond. Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced the ruling and the suspension in a November 5 post on X. Gov. Ron DeSantis also welcomed the decision. CAIR said it suspended operations because of what it called unconstitutional enforcement of the state law and said it is appealing. The American Civil Liberties Union, which is representing the organization with other legal groups, also said it would appeal. The ruling leaves the designation in place while the case proceeds; it did not resolve...