TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WDNews) — Florida has officially designated three groups as domestic terrorist organizations, according to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE).
The designations, which took effect Thursday, Nov. 5, include the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the Muslim Brotherhood and Antifa.
In a statement Thursday, FDLE announced the decision following a federal court ruling involving CAIR.
“A federal court has affirmed Florida’s designation of CAIR, the Muslim Brotherhood, and Antifa as domestic terrorist organizations,” FDLE stated.
“This is the right call for the safety of Floridians. FDLE remains vigilant against threats and committed to keeping Floridians safe.”
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and the state Cabinet approved the designations Sept. 29 under legislation passed earlier this year. The law allows state officials to designate organizations as domestic terrorist groups and imposes restrictions and potential penalties involving those organizations.
However, the federal court ruling addressed CAIR and its Florida chapter, not the Muslim Brotherhood or Antifa.
On Nov. 4, U.S. District Chief Judge Allen Winsor denied most of CAIR’s request to block the designations but granted limited protection allowing attorneys to continue providing legal services to the organizations.
The judge did not determine whether CAIR was a terrorist organization. The ruling addressed constitutional challenges to Florida’s designation process.
CAIR and its Florida chapter have challenged the state’s actions, arguing that the designations violate constitutional protections.
“CAIR-Florida categorically rejects Florida officials’ baseless designation of us,” CAIR-Florida Executive Director Hiba Rahim said in a statement released by the American Civil Liberties Union.
CAIR and CAIR-Florida filed a notice of appeal Nov. 5. The organizations have also suspended their operations in Florida while the legal challenge continues.
