Urge Mississippi Senators to Reject Unconstitutional anti-BDS Blacklist
(WASHINGTON, D.C., 2/13/19) – The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today called on all Americans who value the First Amendment to contact Mississippi state senators and urge them to reject an unconstitutional anti-BDS bill that just passed the state’s House of Representatives.
The bill would create a blacklist of companies that boycott Israel and prevent the state retirement system, treasury and any state government entity from investing in a company on the list. It passed the House on Tuesday by a vote of 88-10.
There are currently anti-BDS laws or executive orders in 26 states across the country. Courts in Arizona and Kansas have already struck two of them down as unconstitutional.
In January, CAIR announced a legal challenge to Maryland’s “No Boycott of Israel” or “anti-BDS” law (Executive Order 01.01.2017.25).
CAIR’s lawsuit, on behalf of former Maryland lawmaker Syed Saqib Ali, says the Maryland order is a violation of the First and 14th Amendments to the Constitution.
The lawsuit seeks to block the order requiring contractors to certify in writing that they will not boycott Israel. Ali says the order prevents him from bidding on government contracts because he backs boycotts in support of Palestinian rights.
According to CAIR’s lawsuit, “Maryland’s ban on contracting with anyone who participates in such boycotts constitutes viewpoint discrimination that chills constitutionally-protected political advocacy in support of Palestine.”
In December, CAIR filed a motion on behalf of a Texas speech pathologist who was fired for refusing to sign a statement certifying that she does not, and will not, boycott Israel or Israeli settlements.
CAIR is America's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
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Urge Mississippi Senators to Reject Unconstitutional anti-BDS Blacklist
(WASHINGTON, D.C., 2/13/19) – The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today called on all Americans who value the First Amendment to contact Mississippi state senators and urge them to reject an unconstitutional anti-BDS bill that just passed the state’s House of Representatives.
The bill would create a blacklist of companies that boycott Israel and prevent the state retirement system, treasury and any state government entity from investing in a company on the list. It passed the House on Tuesday by a vote of 88-10.
There are currently anti-BDS laws or executive orders in 26 states across the country. Courts in Arizona and Kansas have already struck two of them down as unconstitutional.
In January, CAIR announced a legal challenge to Maryland’s “No Boycott of Israel” or “anti-BDS” law (Executive Order 01.01.2017.25).
CAIR’s lawsuit, on behalf of former Maryland lawmaker Syed Saqib Ali, says the Maryland order is a violation of the First and 14th Amendments to the Constitution.
The lawsuit seeks to block the order requiring contractors to certify in writing that they will not boycott Israel. Ali says the order prevents him from bidding on government contracts because he backs boycotts in support of Palestinian rights.
According to CAIR’s lawsuit, “Maryland’s ban on contracting with anyone who participates in such boycotts constitutes viewpoint discrimination that chills constitutionally-protected political advocacy in support of Palestine.”
In December, CAIR filed a motion on behalf of a Texas speech pathologist who was fired for refusing to sign a statement certifying that she does not, and will not, boycott Israel or Israeli settlements.
CAIR is America's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
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