(HOUSTON, TEXAS, 1/10/23) – The Houston chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Houston), a chapter of the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today applauded the filing of Texas State Representative Jon Rosenthal’s House Bill 1089, 1090, 1091, and 1092, three separate and one omnibus bill to reverse Texas’ current Anti-BDS legislation.  

[NOTE: The term “BDS” refers to the growing Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement. Modeled after the global South African anti-apartheid movement, the BDS movement’s goal is to pressure the Israeli government to end its occupation of Palestinian territory.]    

The Freedom of Speech Act would reverse laws passed in 2019 and 2021 legislative sessions wherein the governor signed laws that limit a state contractor’s right to protest and freedom of association.       

In 2017, the state enrolled into law HB 89, which banned all state contractors from boycotting Israel.The Council on American Islamic Relations sued the State of Texas and won. In the years that followed, the Texas Legislature produced four more laws that forbade state contractors from boycotting certain companies and industries.  

TAKE ACTION: Tell the Texas Legislature to pass HB 1089: https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/tell-the-texas-house-senate-advance-the-freedom-of-speech-act-hb-1089/

SEE: Filed, House Bill 1089  

SEE ALSO: Filed, House Bill 1090, Relating to contracting with companies that boycott Israel. 

SEE ALSO: Filed, House Bill 1091, Relating to contracting with companies that boycott certain energy companies. 

SEE ALSO: Filed, House Bill 1092, Relating to contracting with companies that discriminate against the firearm or ammunition industries. 

In a statement, CAIR-Houston Director William White said:      

“We hope these proposed bills will give the state legislature a reason to change course on the clear infringements of Constitutional freedoms we have seen over the past few years. We at CAIR look forward to working with legislature members to clarify why this omnibus legislation is a way forward for Texans and our civil liberties. We call all Texans to join us in encouraging the Texas Legislature to take action and stand on the side of liberties and individual freedoms.”    

In a statement, CAIR-Houston Outreach Coordinator Wasiq Javed said: 

“It is time we hold Texas accountable for its double standards. We cannot promote constitutional values and, at the same time, restrict anyone from their freedom of speech. It is clear that the Texas Legislature, in passing HB 793 (86R), SB 13 (87R), and SB 19 (87R), have made a targeted attempt to promote a special interest agenda by counteracting anyone who opposes it. These laws are antithetical to the principles of democracy. Texans, irrespective of their political beliefs, must come together to support HB 1089, an omnibus bill which reverses this legislation and will allow Texans to practice their constitutional rights freely, the way it should be in the first place.”  

Following the House introduction of the Freedom of Speech Act, Representative Jon Rosenthal issued the following statement:  

“It is unfortunate that Texas, a state that prides itself on individual liberty and freedoms, is disallowing business to be conducted freely and openly. If we value our United States Constitutional protections, we must repeal these statutes that restrict the fundamental right to freedom of speech. 

“If passed, Representative Rosenthal’s bill will restore our First Amendment Rights. “I hope this bill will allow companies to do business in our state without arbitrary punitive measures set by this Legislature.”  

BACKGROUND:  

In 2019, the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR) filed a lawsuit on behalf of speech pathologist Bahia Amawi, who refused to sign her renewed state contract, which would allow her to continue to assist students in Austin area public schools.CAIR won the lawsuit that allowed Ms. Amawi to sign her contract in 2019.  

That same year, the state legislature filed a new bill, HB 793, which limited the state contracts that applied to state contracts for more than $100,000.In 2021, CAIR again filed a lawsuit against the City of Houston and Attorney General Ken Paxton on behalf of Rasmy Hassouna and won. The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals heard the case this past November.  

About the Freedom of Speech Act:         

Introduced on December 21, the act was filed by a Democratic member of the Texas House of Representatives, Jon Rosenthal, who represents parts of Northwest Harris County, including Cypress, Jersey Village, Katy, and Northwest Houston.   

The law would reverse all three previous laws, which ban contractors with the state from boycotting certain entities.           

The three primary aims of the Freedom of Speech Act are:           

1. To reverse Texas’ law prohibiting state contractors from boycotting the state of Israel.          
2. To reverse Texas’ law prohibiting state contractors from boycotting firearms and ammunition manufacturers.  
3. To reverse Texas’ law prohibiting state contractors from boycotting oil and gas energy companies. 

Each point mentioned in the omnibus legislation (HB 1089) is also filed as separate legislation.  

CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.               

La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.      

END    

CONTACT: CAIR-Houston Director William White, 713-838-2247, w-white@cair.com; CAIR National Board Member John Floyd, Esq; 713-224-0101, jfloyd@cair.com, CAIR-Houston Outreach Coordinator Wasiq Javed, wjaved@cair.com CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw, 202-742-6448, rmccaw@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Coordinator Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, iallison@cair.com