WASHINGTON, Dec. 11, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The Council on
American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation's largest Muslim
civil rights and advocacy organization, today pledged to oppose an
executive order signed by President Trump that attempts to suppress
academic freedom by conflating the vile bigotry of anti-Semitism
with First Amendment-protected criticism of the Israeli
government's human rights abuses against Palestinians.
CAIR chapters across the country intend to work with local
allies, students and educators to protect free speech and
academic freedom from the Trump administration's use of
the executive order.
SEE: Trump's Executive Order to Stifle Israel Critics
Probably Violates the Constitution
http://nymag.com/intelligencer/2019/12/trump-anti-anti-semitism-order-likely-violates-constitution.html
Trump antisemitism order denounced as bid to silence critics
of Israel
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/dec/11/donald-trump-antisemitism-israel-colleges-order
In a statement, CAIR National Deputy Executive Director
Edward Ahmed Mitchell,
Esq. said:
"President Trump's attempt to punish free speech on college
campuses by conflating the vile bigotry of anti-Semitism with
criticism of the Israeli government's human rights abuses
against Palestinians is as unconstitutional as it is
offensive.
"If President Trump truly wants to confront
anti-Semitism, he should start with himself and the
white supremacists employed and empowered by his administration.
Just days ago, President Trump once again engaged in
anti-Semitism by claiming that American Jews would vote for him to
protect their wealth, and that some American Jews are
insufficiently loyal to Israel.
"Students, academics and universities have every legal and
moral right to criticize, condemn and
even boycott foreign nations that violate human
rights -- including the Israeli government -- and we
intend to do everything we can to protect academic freedom from the
impact of this executive order."
For the past several years, Congress has failed to pass the
misleadingly titled "Anti-Semitism Awareness
Act" (S. 2940/H.R. 5924), which groups
like Jewish Voice for Peace, American Civil Liberties
Union, Arab American Institute, Palestine Legal, and
other civil liberties groups have raised serious free speech
concerns.
The presidential order is similar to that act insofar as it uses
an overly broad definition of anti-Semitism that equates legitimate
criticism of the Israeli governmental system with bigotry. The
order also twists the law by declaring that Jewish identity
can constitute a foreign nationality.
CAIR has a decades-long track record of denouncing bigotry in
all its forms, including anti-Semitism.
SEE: CAIR-NJ Expresses Solidarity with the Jewish Community
After 'Targeted' Jersey City Shooting
https://www.cair.com/cair_nj_expresses_solidarity_with_the_jewish_community_after_targeted_jersey_city_shooting
CAIR-LA Stands in Solidarity with Jewish Community After
Signs Near Topanga Elementary School Defaced with Nazi
Swastikas
https://www.cair.com/cair_la_stands_in_solidarity_with_jewish_community_after_signs_near_topanga_elementary_school_defaced_with_nazi_swastikas
CAIR Calls on Amazon, Google, AudioBooks, and Barnes and
Noble to Remove White Supremacist, Pro-Confederate
Materials
https://www.cair.com/cair_calls_on_amazon_google_audiobooks_and_barnes_and_noble_to_remove_white_supremacist_pro_confederate_materials
Like many other American civil and human rights groups, CAIR is
concerned about the rise of hate speech and crimes across the
nation and on U.S. campuses, including increased acts of
anti-Semitism and Islamophobia.
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 misiĆ³n de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la
comprensiĆ³n del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los
musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
CONTACT: CAIR National Communications Coordinator
Ayan Ajeen,
202-774-0770, aajeen@cair.com; CAIR National Communications
Director Ibrahim Hooper,
202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com
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SOURCE Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR)