Largest US Muslim advocacy group suspends Florida operations over ‘terrorist’ designation law

WASHINGTON: Muslim advocacy group Council on American-Islamic Relations has suspended operations in Florida after the enforcement of a law that gave state officials power to designate groups as “terrorist organizations,” state officials and CAIR said.

Earlier this year, Republican Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed into law a measure giving him and other state officials the power to designate groups as “terrorist organizations” and expel students who support them. Human rights groups say the law chills free speech.

A federal judge denied a request by CAIR to reverse Florida officials’ “terrorist” designation of the Muslim civil rights group. CAIR said it will appeal that ruling.