CAIR accuses Abbott of suppressing speech on campuses

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) announced a lawsuit against Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) on Thursday over an executive order the group alleges violates free speech on campuses.  

The group, filing on behalf of Students for Justice in Palestine at the University of Houston, Students for Justice in Palestine at the University of Texas at Dallas and the Democratic Socialists of America, argues the executive order makes it illegal to criticize the state of Israel and chant phrases such as, “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.” 

In the executive order, Abbott said the chant “has long been used by Hamas supporters to call for the violent dismantling of the State of Israel and the destruction of the Jewish people who live there.” 

The order states that while free speech is a pillar at Texas universities, “that freedom comes with responsibilities.” 

“The executive order plainly violates the First Amendment,” said Gadeir Abbas, CAIR’s national deputy litigation director. “Whether by police force or by expulsion, Texas cannot punish students for being on the right side of history.” 

The University of Texas in Austin was one of the quickest schools to crack down on pro-Palestinian protests on campus, arresting more than 50 people hours after a demonstration began. 

The lawsuit is requesting the court enjoin both Greg Abbott and the respective Boards of Regents from enforcing the order due to its alleged unconstitutionality.

The Hill has reached out to Abbott’s office for comment.