TAMPA, Fla. — On Monday, the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) filed a federal lawsuit against Gov. Ron Desantis after he declared CAIR a foreign terrorist organization. 

CAIR-Florida held a press conference on Tuesday at its Tampa office addressing the lawsuit. 

What You Need To Know

CAIR-Florida held a news conference on Tuesday and spoke about its lawsuit against Gov. Ron DeSantis 

The suit is in response to the governor’s executive order declaring both CAIR and the Muslim Brotherhood as foreign terrorist organizations

The organization is saying it isn’t just about CAIR, but about defending people’s rights.

Earlier this month, DeSantis said he welcomes the lawsuit

CAIR, the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, is asking a federal judge to declare the order “unlawful” and “unconstitutional” and is hoping to prevent it from being enforced.

The organization is saying it isn’t just about CAIR, but about defending people’s rights.

“We have defended free speech, religious liberty, and due process for people of all faiths across Florida, and across these great United States, and yet, without evidence and without authority and without due process, governor DeSantis is attempting to declare us criminals and punish anyone who associates with us,” said Hiba Rahim, CAIR-Florida interim director.

In its lawsuit, CAIR says the organization has always condemned terrorism and violence.

“We’re seeking declaratory and injunctive relief to block these attempts by the governor to squelch our speech, viewpoint, the work that we do, and affecting anyone who supports our work,” said Omar Saleh, Esq. He is CAIR-Florida civil rights managing attorney.

Earlier this month, DeSantis issued an executive order declaring both CAIR and the Muslim Brotherhood as foreign terrorist organizations.

DeSantis says he welcomes the lawsuit.

“What will happen is that will give the state of Florida discovery rights to be able to subpoena the bank records, to be able to do that, and honestly, it will give us even more reason, I believe, so I think this is something that I know our attorney general is ready, willing and able to be fighting on this,” he said on Dec. 9, when CAIR announced its intent to sue.

Saleh says the organization has worked to protect civil rights for all Americans for decades and that there’s simply nothing to be found.

“We’ve been doing this work for decades, and I think if there were something going on, you would’ve heard about it a long time ago. So what’s this about? We know what it’s about,” he said. “When somebody doesn’t have much longer in office, maybe trying to make an impact with his base,” he said.

CAIR-Florida says there has been some backlash against the organization since the governor issued the executive order, but says it will continue operating as a legal organization that follows all U.S. laws.