ACLU attorney says CAIR-Florida faces potential shutdown as state terrorist designation deadline approaches

The federal court's decision will determine whether CAIR-Florida can continue operating in the state after November 5, or if supporters, volunteers, and donors face criminal penalties under Florida law for associating with the organization.

• •CAIR and CAIR-Florida are challenging their state designation as domestic terrorist organizations in federal court.
• •Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Florida Cabinet voted on September 29 to designate more than 90 groups as terrorist organizations, including CAIR.
• •The CAIR designation is scheduled to take effect on November 5 under Florida law HB 1471.
• •HB 1471 took effect on July 1 after being approved by Gov. DeSantis on April 6.
• •The ACLU filed an emergency request for relief, asking a federal court to block the designation and prevent prosecutors from enforcing criminal penalties against nonprofits and supporters.
• •The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida heard arguments on the emergency request on Wednesday, October 28.
• •CAIR-Florida has paused recurring donations on platforms it controls and asked supporters to cancel automatic transfers or mailed payments prior to November 5.
• •HB 1471 criminalizes knowingly providing, attempting to provide, or conspiring to provide material support or resources to a designated domestic terrorist organization.
• •The law also restricts certain state and local government funding, affects public schools, colleges, and universities, and allows administrative dissolution of certain designated corporations.
• •The plaintiffs' lawsuit alleges violations of the First Amendment, the Fourteenth Amendment's Due Process Clause, and the Supremacy Clause.