We, the Green Party of Texas, stand unequivocally in solidarity with the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) and with Muslim communities across our state. Governor Greg Abbott’s proclamation declaring CAIR a “foreign terrorist organization” is a blatant attack on civil rights, religious freedom, and the rule of law. We affirm that CAIR is a legitimate civil rights organization, not a terrorist group. Their decades of work defending religious freedom, immigrant rights, and civil rights for all Americans, Muslim and non-Muslim alike, reflects the best kind of grassroots democratic organizing.
The Green Party of Texas condemns Governor Abbott’s proclamation as a politically motivated, legally baseless, and morally reprehensible attempt to intimidate & stigmatize Muslim communities and their voice in our state. The State of Texas has no legal power to declare any person or organization to be terrorists. Any such declarations from the current administration cannot be relied upon as they are often intended to further US imperialism by providing cover for direct & indirect wars of aggression.
Our party supports CAIR’s decision to take legal action against Governor Abbott & AG Ken Paxton. We call for all Texans of conscience, including faith communities, civil rights organizations, student groups, progressive organizations, and others, to stand united with CAIR in this moment of repression.
The Green Party of Texas will always defend religious & civil liberties for all, especially for communities under attack. We uphold the Texas state motto of “Friendship,” and encourage our Governor to reflect on that sentiment which has guided our state forth for so long. As Texans, we understand that y’all means all! Our friendship, southern hospitality, respect, and care ought to be cast unto all our neighbors and fellow Texans, not only those in the political favor of our elected officials.
In this moment, the people of Texas face a choice: will we allow fear, scapegoating, and state repression to define our politics or will we defend inclusion, solidarity, and the civil rights of all our fellow Texans?
We are Texan Greens, united in our pursuit of justice, and we will not allow the politics of fear to silence our neighbors or erase our rights.