Terror-tied CAIR has anti-boycott the Jews (BDS) law suspended in Texas

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Judge Robert Pittman made good on his word, and blocked enforcement of Texas’ anti-boycott the Jews (BDS) law. Expect subsequent rulings to overturn this decision; there is no legal argument to compel people, or states to participate in a boycott. And, how likely is it that Texas will have to finance something that will undermine its own economy?

Gadeir Abbas, a Council on American-Islamic Relations senior litigation attorney on Amawi’s legal team, applauded the decision Thursday.

Judge Robert Pittman issuing a preliminary injunction against the enforcement of  the anti-BDS law on the grounds of free speech is a spectacle. Considering the law is concerned with companies, not individuals, and does not prohibit people from engaging in boycotts against Israel, or purchasing hummus, it looks like the injunction was issued for the sake of CAIR.

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It’s not about free speech, it’s about commerce. Secondly, CAIR works furiously silence free speech and silence my colleagues and me. They support the sharia death penalty for speech critical of Islam, so this is particularly rich.

In 1977, Congress prohibited U.S. companies from cooperating with the Arab boycott. When President Carter signed the law, he said the “issue goes to the very heart of free trade among nations” and that it was designed to “end the divisive effects on American life of foreign boycotts aimed at Jewish members of our society.”

How is the BDS boycott of Israel any different?

Judge temporarily blocks enforcement of Texas law banning Israel boycotts

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AUSTIN — U.S. District Judge Robert Pitman on Thursday issued a preliminary injunction against the enforcement of Texas law that bans state workers from boycotting Israel.

Speech pathologist Bahia Amawi filed the suit against the state and Pflugerville Independent School District in December, claiming the law violated her First Amendment right to free speech.

The Texas Legislature passed the anti-Israel boycott law, House Bill 89, in 2017 with bipartisan support. It was touted by Republicans, including Gov. Greg Abbott, as a way to show the state’s solidarity with the country.

But Pitman in his order on Thursday said political boycotts are protected speech and the law is likely unconstitutional as it imposes content- and viewpoint-based restriction on that protected expression.

“The statute threatens ‘to suppress unpopular ideas’ and ‘manipulate the public debate through coercion rather than persuasion,’” Pitman wrote. “This the First Amendment does not allow.”

Pitman wrote that the law also likely violates the First Amendment, which covers the right to speak and not speak, by forcing people to reveal whether they boycott Israel.

Gadeir Abbas, a Council on American-Islamic Relations senior litigation attorney on Amawi’s legal team, applauded the decision Thursday.

“This is a complete victory of the First Amendment against Texas’ attempts to suppress speech in support of Palestine,” Abbas said. “More importantly, it’s a complete victory for all Texans, to engage in political speech without government censorship.”

In a similar federal district court suit, the American Civil Liberties Union of Texas is arguing the same on behalf of four government contractors who say they were forced to sign a pledge promising they wouldn’t boycott Israel.

“The right to boycott is deeply ingrained in American tradition, from our nation’s founding to today,” said Tommy Buser-Clancy, staff attorney for the ACLU of Texas, who argued the motion to block the law in court. “The state cannot dictate the views of its own citizens on the Israel/Palestine conflict — or any issue — by preventing them from exercising their First Amendment right to boycott.”

 

 

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felix1999
felix1999
4 years ago

Legal warfare continues.
Muslims are using our freedoms and laws against us.

Achmed Mohandjob
Achmed Mohandjob
4 years ago
Reply to  felix1999

Not really. The moslems (the vilest of ALL creatures) are simply finding inslamophiliac worshippers of the god of the moslems, known by the name of Satan.

ladywarrior
ladywarrior
4 years ago
Reply to  felix1999

This does not surprise me….on Ann Corcoran’s site we learn that Obama put the the largest number of Muslim “refugees” (invaders) in the state of Texas….they are rapidly changing the politics and demographics of that once great state….which was the reason they were put there.

What happened to President Trump’s idea of returning all these “refugees” back to their countries or to create a safe space for them and return them….”Refugees” are not allowed to stay permanently in the US….

ConnectingDots
ConnectingDots
4 years ago

Pitman wrote that the law also likely violates the First Amendment, which covers the right to speak and not speak [emphasis added]….

Tell that to those in the USA who want to compel others to speak particular pronouns.

Bagsgroove
Bagsgroove
4 years ago

So how come the muslims are pushing to outlaw criticism of Islam. It seems they want to be able to do anything they want but others shoul
d toe their line.

Sifter
Sifter
4 years ago
Reply to  Bagsgroove

Anyone else remember London and Paris burning and bleeding for weeks.. Over cartoons? Where did they’re heroic fight for freedom of speech go, then? Burning cars, overturned, smashed glass, looted stores…. Suddenly CAIR- HAMAS are 1st Amendment mavens?
Their chutzpah is stunning.

Edward Cline
Edward Cline
4 years ago

I’ve put this on my FB page and also tweeted it.

Ed Love
Ed Love
4 years ago
Reply to  Edward Cline

you’ll probably get banned from FB for the violation of some made up rule.

John Acord
John Acord
4 years ago

This law protects Texas business and commerce from intimidation, threats, pressure from Islamists demanding they support BDS. Whenever a Muslim makes a demand or threat people are terrified for we all know they are capable of the most horrific violence. This is why anti-BDS laws are constitutional and should be upheld as a proper exercise of the right of a state to protect its citizens. The distinction the court failed to make is that Islam and the Muslims and their allies that support BDS are fundamentally a criminal organization much like the mafia. The state has an obligation to protect its citizens and business from thugs and gangs and that is why anti-BDS is legal and constitutional. I’m sure Ken Paxton will appeal to the Fifth Circuit where it is likely to get a friendly reception.

Ed Love
Ed Love
4 years ago

this judge is an idiot.

aemoreira1981
aemoreira1981
4 years ago
Reply to  Ed Love

And he’s correct. Government does not have the right to boycott on viewpoint, unless there is material support for formally designated foreign terrorist organizations or entities. Judges must sometimes make unpopular decisions.

@disqus_Kf5iXrVVyK:disqus – I don’t see Texas winning on appeal, although a similar case from Arkansas is on appeal to a different circuit.

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