Tell Members of the Montana Legislature to Reject Unconstitutional anti-BDS Bill
(WASHINGTON, D.C., 2/21/19) – 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 and the constitutionally-protected right to boycott to contact members of the Montana state House of Representatives and urge them to oppose an unconstitutional anti-BDS bill scheduled for a hearing this week.
Introduced by Representative Wendy McKamey (R-19), the bill would create a blacklist of businesses that boycott Israel or Israeli settlements and prohibit the board of investments from investing public fund money in those companies.
There are currently anti-BDS laws in 21 states across the country and anti-BDS executive orders in 5 others, with legislation pending in Mississippi, New York, and Montana. Earlier this month, CAIR issued an action alert urging Americans to oppose the legislation in Mississippi.
Courts in Arizona and Kansas have already struck down two anti-BDS laws, finding them unconstitutional restrictions on free speech.
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.
CAIR recently distributed an action alert encouraging Americans to voice their concerns about a similarly unconstitutional Senate bill.
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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CONTACT: CAIR Senior Litigation Attorney Gadeir Abbas, 720-251-0425, gabbas@cair.com; CAIR National Litigation Director Lena Masri, 202-742-6420, lmasri@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com
Tell Members of the Montana Legislature to Reject Unconstitutional anti-BDS Bill
(WASHINGTON, D.C., 2/21/19) – 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 and the constitutionally-protected right to boycott to contact members of the Montana state House of Representatives and urge them to oppose an unconstitutional anti-BDS bill scheduled for a hearing this week.
Introduced by Representative Wendy McKamey (R-19), the bill would create a blacklist of businesses that boycott Israel or Israeli settlements and prohibit the board of investments from investing public fund money in those companies.
There are currently anti-BDS laws in 21 states across the country and anti-BDS executive orders in 5 others, with legislation pending in Mississippi, New York, and Montana. Earlier this month, CAIR issued an action alert urging Americans to oppose the legislation in Mississippi.
Courts in Arizona and Kansas have already struck down two anti-BDS laws, finding them unconstitutional restrictions on free speech.
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.
CAIR recently distributed an action alert encouraging Americans to voice their concerns about a similarly unconstitutional Senate bill.
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.
END
CONTACT: CAIR Senior Litigation Attorney Gadeir Abbas, 720-251-0425, gabbas@cair.com; CAIR National Litigation Director Lena Masri, 202-742-6420, lmasri@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com