Federal Court Denies Injunction as Florida Implements Domestic Terrorist Designation Against CAIR

The Council on American-Islamic Relations and its Florida chapter suspended operations in the state following the implementation of a domestic terrorist organization designation that took effect on Thursday.

Chief United States District Judge Allen Winsor of the Northern District of Florida declined Wednesday to block the designation while the organization pursues federal legal challenges, though the court granted limited relief protecting CAIR, its employees, and third parties from prosecution under the state material-support law while legal proceedings continue. CAIR is challenging the designation on First Amendment and due process grounds with support from the American Civil Liberties Union and the Southern Poverty Law Center.

Attorney General James Uthmeier confirmed the court ruling as a victory for the state. The designation restricts public funding and government contracts and imposes civil and criminal penalties for anyone providing material support to the organization.