For Immediate Release: December 19, 2025

Tallahassee, FL – Earlier today a wide ranging group of nonprofits, most based or working in Florida, sent a letter to Governor Ron DeSantis strongly objecting to his declaring CAIR-Florida a “foreign terrorist organization. The letter calls on DeSantis to rescind his declaration. 

The State of Florida has provided no credible evidence that CAIR-Florida has engaged in or supported terrorism. CAIR has also sued the State of Florida to stop the executive order. 

Many of the organizations who signed onto the letter have worked with CAIR and can vouch for the integrity of the organization. 

The following is a statement from Larry Hannan, communications and policy director at State Voices Florida. 

“We are proud to be partners with CAIR-Florida and stand with them as they fight this unfair and unjustified attack on their integrity.  Disagreement with an organization’s policy positions—on any issue—does not justify labeling them terrorists. In a democracy, civil society groups must be free to advocate for their communities without fear of political retaliation.”

Hannan also stressed that DeSantis made this designation without providing any evidence that CAIR had broken the law. 

Organizations that signed onto this letter include: 

State Voices Florida

ACLU of Florida

Common Cause of Florida

League of Women Voters of Florida

National Council of Jewish Women

NAACP Florida State Conference 

Advancement Project

Florida Chapter National Organization for Women

Florida Council of Churches

Equality Florida

Florida for All

The Workers Circle

Harriet Tubman Freedom Fighters

State Voices Florida is a statewide civic engagement organization committed to bringing together progressive 501(C)(3) organizations to work together in building power around civic issues.  You can learn more about the organization here. 

Contact: Larry Hannan
Communications and Policy Director
State Voices Florida
lhannan@statevoicesfl.org
(239) 253-8952