Southwest
Florida’s CAIR threatens lawsuit against DeSantis after he labels group a ‘foreign terrorist’ organization
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The Florida chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) says it plans to take Gov. Ron DeSantis to court after the Republican governor issued an executive order labeling the Muslim civil rights organization a “foreign terrorist organization.”
Hiba Rahim, the chapter’s deputy executive director, said during a news conference that the order was an attack rooted in conspiracy theories and compared it to historical efforts that targeted Jewish, Irish and Italian American communities.
“We are very proud to defend the founding principles of our Constitution, to defend free speech,” Rahim said at a news conference. “We are proud to defend democracy, and we are proud to be America first.”
Rahim argued that the governor’s support for Israel played a role in the order, saying the group’s activism had caused “discomfort” to the U.S. ally. She said CAIR does not intend to back down.
FLORIDA DESIGNATES MUSLIM BROTHERHOOD AND CAIR AS FOREIGN TERRORIST ORGANIZATIONS, DESANTIS SAYS
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis labeled CAIR and the Muslim Brotherhood as a “foreign terrorist organization.” (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell, File)
Governor DeSantis, meanwhile, defended the move, saying his administration had sufficient grounds for the designation. Speaking to reporters Tuesday, he said he welcomed CAIR’s legal challenge and described the designation as “a long time coming.”
DeSantis’ order also lists the Muslim Brotherhood as a “foreign terrorist” organization. Last month, President Donald Trump issued an executive order to begin a federal process to consider designating certain chapters of the Muslim Brotherhood as a foreign terrorist organization.
The governor said he expects Florida lawmakers to pursue related legislation when the legislature reconvenes in January, calling the executive order “the beginning.”
TRUMP SIGNALS PLAN TO DESIGNATE MUSLIM BROTHERHOOD A TERRORIST ORGANIZATION
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said he welcomes CAIR’s lawsuit. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Under DeSantis’ directive, state agencies are barred from awarding contracts, employment or funds to CAIR, the Muslim Brotherhood or any groups deemed to have materially supported them.
At the Tampa news conference, attorney Miranda Margolis criticized the order and argued DeSantis had exceeded his authority by unilaterally designating a nonprofit as a terrorist organization.
“This designation is without legal or factual basis and constitutes a dangerous escalation of anti-Muslim political rhetoric,” Margolis said.
Florida’s action comes after Texas Gov. Greg Abbott issued a similar proclamation. CAIR has challenged Abbott’s designation in federal court, arguing it violates the U.S. Constitution and Texas law. Muslim and interfaith organizations have urged Abbott to rescind the order.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott issued a proclamation designating CAIR and the Muslim Brotherhood as “foreign terrorist organizations.” (Getty Images)
State-level designations do not carry the same legal weight as federal Foreign Terrorist Organization classifications, which can only be issued by the U.S. State Department.
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CAIR argues the Florida order violates its First Amendment rights and due-process protections and that terrorism designations fall under federal jurisdiction, not state power.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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A juvenile has been formally charged with murder in the death of a 4-month-old infant who authorities say was thrown to the floor inside a Claremont home earlier this week. The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office filed one count of murder against the juvenile suspect after reviewing the Claremont Police Department’s investigation, according to […]
The parents of an 8-year-old boy tragically killed by a large tree that fell in a Calabasas park last year are expected to receive more than $14 million as part of a settlement agreement with the agency responsible for managing the park.
On July 9, Lamar McGlothurn, along with several others attending Camp Wildcraft on the grounds of King Gillette Ranch Park, was struck when a 25- to 30-foot branch weighing about 100 pounds snapped from a tree.
McGlothurn was airlifted to a hospital, where he later died from blunt force injuries, according to the Ventura County Medical Examiner.
An 11-year-old girl with a broken leg was also airlifted to the hospital. A 5-year-old boy suffered head lacerations, a 22-year-old man sustained head and arm bruises, and a 73-year-old man suffered a concussion.
Text messages sent a day before the tragedy by an employee of a tree care company later surfaced, raising concerns about the condition of the tree.
“It is somewhat concerning seeing all the decay at the trunk. It would be wise to thin the canopy and alleviate end weight at a minimum to mitigate risk,” the employee wrote.
A settlement agreement was signed in March, SFGATE reported.
The child’s parents are expected to receive $14.65 million. The bulk of the settlement will be paid by the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority, which manages the park, along with smaller amounts from Camp Wildcraft and Gomez Landscape & Tree Care.
Six other people injured in the incident are set to receive a combined $4.65 million from insurers representing the MRCA, Camp Wildcraft and the tree care company.
In a statement to SFGATE, an MRCA spokesperson said the agency hopes the settlement will, in some small way, bring solace to the McGlothurn family.
“We at the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority cannot fathom the immense loss and tremendous pain the family of Lamar McGlothurn has endured from Lamar’s tragic death,” the statement said.
The Los Angeles Police Department has released body camera video of an officer-involved shooting in Boyle Heights earlier this year that left a man hospitalized.
The incident happened in May, when officers responded to a report of an assault with a deadly weapon in the 3000 block Glenn Avenue.
Authorities say Robert Velazquez, 40, came out of the home armed with two knives and a grilling fork and refused to drop the weapons.
Police say he threw a knife toward officers, prompting them to open fire. He then allegedly stood back up, still armed, leading officers to open fire a second time.
Velazquez was taken to a hospital for treatment and later arrested. No officers or bystanders were hurt in the shooting.
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