TALLAHASSEE, Fla., 2/1/2021--The Florida Chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Florida), the state’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today joined Florida State University’s Students for Justice in Palestine (FSU SJP) and Jewish Voice for Peace on a sign-on petition calling on FSU to address serious issues of attacking advocacy for Palestinian human rights on the public university’s campus. The petition was sent today by FSU SJP to FSU President John Thrasher, showing support for Ahmad and Jack and demanding justice by FSU students, organizations, alumni, civil and human rights organizations, and Florida community members.

The petition endorses a letter CAIR-Florida and Palestine Legal recently sent to FSU President John Thrasher to protect the free speech of students supporting Palestinian rights and ensure that FSU meets its obligations to Palestinian students under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. 

CAIR-Florida Regional Coordinator Lara Abu Ghannam stated, “It is our First Amendment right to speak our truth, to protest for our beliefs. We will not allow this criminalization of advocacy for Palestinian human rights. FSU’s silencing of students, a clear violation of freedom of speech, is rooted in hate and xenophobia. We welcome this coalition standing up for Ahmad and Jack and for our constitutionally protected political speech.” 

The signatories endorse the call for justice by CAIR-Florida regarding the failure of FSU to support students Ahmad Daraldik and Jack Fox Keen. 

They endorse the letter to FSU President John Thrasher addressing the serious issues of attacking advocacy for Palestinian human rights on the public university’s campus. They also demand President Thrasher to immediately apologize to Ahmad and Jack, rescind FSU’s adoption of the IHRA Working Definition of Antisemitism, and cease investigating FSU students for the protected political speech supporting Palestinian rights. 

Civil Rights Groups’ letter to FSU President John Thrasher addressing attack on Palestinian Human Rights Advocacy on Campus. 

Organizations Supporting the Petition: 

FSU Students for Justice in Palestine 

FSU Muslim Law Student Association 

South Florida Jewish Voices for Peace 

Florida Student Power Network 

Democratic Socialists of America 

ICNA Council for Social Justice 

Muslim Women’s Organization 

Unbought Power 

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