📢 Gov. Abbott’s Dangerous Attack on CAIR: A Call to Defend Civil Liberties
Gov. Greg Abbott’s attempt to label CAIR a terrorist organization is unconstitutional, dangerous, and rooted in bigotry. Join us to stand up for civil rights and religious freedom.
Friends, I cannot stay silent while Governor Greg Abbott turns the state of Texas into a testing ground for racism, xenophobia, Islamophobia, and antisemitism. Even though I do not live in Texas, I write today out of deep concern for the people who do—and for the dangerous precedent this kind of state-sponsored bigotry sets for the entire nation. It undermines the freedom of religion that my faith teaches me to cherish, and it threatens the civil liberties of all Americans if we remain silent.
Let me be absolutely clear: racism, antisemitism, Islamophobia, xenophobia, and bigotry have no place in America. Not in Texas, not in my state, not anywhere. And yet Governor Abbott is weaponizing the machinery of government to target our Muslim brothers and sisters and attack a well-respected civil liberties organization simply because it stands up for their rights.
His reckless proclamation1 labeling the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) a “foreign terrorist organization” is not only morally bankrupt—it is unconstitutional, inflammatory, and profoundly dangerous.
Edward Ahmed Mitchell, CAIR’s national deputy director in response said:
For instance, the governor’s proclamation names eight people who have supposed ties to “terrorism-related activities”.
In terms of the specific people mentioned, some of these people have no connection to Cair whatsoever,” Mitchell said. “Some of them may have committed a crime and were rightfully prosecuted for that crime, which Cair had nothing to do with. And in some cases, Cair actually has stood up for someone who was wrongfully charged with a crime they did not commit. 2
As the Guardian reports, Governor Abbott’s “proclamation violates constitutional protections – including free speech, due process and property rights,” and it is worth noting that “CAIR has never been declared a terrorist group by the US government.” 3
A governor who knowingly pushes a lie this extreme forfeits any claim to leadership or public safety.
CAIR stated in response to Abbott’s declaration: “CAIR is an American organization funded by the American people. CAIR has never been an agent, affiliate, offshoot, subsidiary, partner, funder, or representative of any foreign group. In any given year, less than one percent of donations to CAIR come from individuals based abroad, mostly in Canada.” 4
This is pure, weaponized discrimination—nothing more.
And now Governor Abbott has doubled down on this bigotry by pressuring the federal government to revoke CAIR’s tax-exempt status—an attempt to financially weaken a civil rights organization for the “crime” of defending Muslim families.5
This is not about safety.
This is not about justice.
This is about punishing an entire community for existing.
As long-time readers know, People Power United will always speak out and show up whenever members of our community are under attack. We unequivocally oppose all forms of terrorism—foreign or domestic—, but we also recognize that no organization is immune to the possibility of a bad actor. That reality does not erase the good an organization does, nor does it justify dismantling or destroying it.
As a Catholic, I am called to stand with the oppressed—not with the powerful who dehumanize them.
As an American, I am obligated to defend the Constitution—not turn away while politicians trample it.
And as a human being, I refuse to accept a future where governors can declare minority groups “terrorists” on a whim.
Even from outside Texas, I can see the danger this poses to all of us.
If a governor can do this to CAIR today, what stops another state from targeting Jewish groups tomorrow? Or Catholic charities next week? Or any organization that speaks truth to power?
To our Muslim brothers and sisters: You deserve safety and dignity—not slander and state-sponsored persecution.
To our Jewish brothers and sisters: Your fight against hate is our fight too.
To Texans who are alarmed by this blatant overreach: You are not alone, and the nation is watching—and standing with you.
Faith demands courage.
Democracy demands vigilance.
Justice demands solidarity.
And we will not let hate—whether in Texas or anywhere else—define who we are as a people.
Lastly, some of you may not know but this personal for me. Deeply personal. I made a commitment when I left suburbia in 2016 to fight for a better tomorrow for my why, that I would show up for my Muslim and Jewish brothers and sisters (and all who needed an ally for justice), and I am not abandoning that commitment.
I have stood up for my Muslim and Jewish brothers and sisters and will continue to do so:
I have marched numerous times:
Once again, I call on all good people to join me in standing up against all forms of hatred and bigotry.
A friendly reminder — we’re a community that believes in the power of change and puts in the work to make it happen. It might not seem like much to spend five minutes signing a petition, writing a letter, or making a call, but when we act together, those small efforts add up. That’s how we hold our leaders accountable to the will of the people.
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Laurie Woodward Garcia (paid with hugs and kisses, not bought by special interests), People Power United
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https://gov.texas.gov/news/post/governor-abbott-designates-muslim-brotherhood-cair-as-foreign-terrorist-organizations
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/dec/05/gregg-abbotts-cair-terror-label-stokes-legal-fight-in-texass-long-struggle-with-islamophobia
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/dec/05/gregg-abbotts-cair-terror-label-stokes-legal-fight-in-texass-long-struggle-with-islamophobia
file:///C:/Users/lauri/Downloads/cair-response-letter-to-secretary-bessent.pdf
https://www.fox7austin.com/news/cair-defends-against-texas-gov-abbotts-request-revoke-tax-exemption