Opposing American authoritarianism will require dedicated action and avoiding the temptation to fall into “grim despair” over its advances, said Bacardi Jackson, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Florida. “It is always a matter of courage and,…
Study traces anti-Muslim campaign to Greg Abbott
The current surge in anti-Muslim hatred from elected Republicans can be traced to a social media post by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott early last year, according to a new study by the Center for the Study of Organized Hate. Since…
Florida’s ‘anti-Sharia’ laws called threat to religious freedom for all
Two new Florida laws Gov. Ron DeSantis described as “anti-Sharia” measures are really about limiting free speech and denying due process, a group of interfaith leaders said. “Our Florida government is lying,” said Hiba Rahim, interim executive director of the…
Judge blocks DeSantis order against Muslim organizations
A federal judge has blocked enforcement of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ order that designates two Muslim groups as terrorist organizations. Last December, DeSantis followed the lead of Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and designated the Council on American-Islamic Relations and the…
Muslim group sues DeSantis over his executive order
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis violated the U.S. and state constitutions with an executive order labeling the Council on American-Islamic Relations a terrorist organization, the Muslim civil rights group says in a new federal lawsuit. The litigation claims DeSantis’ Dec. 8…
DeSantis follows Abbott’s lead in labeling Muslim groups terrorists
Following Texas’ lead, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has designated the Council on American-Islamic Relations and the Muslim Brotherhood as “foreign terrorist organizations.” “Florida agencies are hereby directed to undertake all lawful measures to prevent unlawful activities by these organizations, including…
The lunatics are now in charge
Not all ideas are equally valid, and not all beliefs are equally true. There is reality and there is fantasy. A heavy dose of “both sides are valid” denial of reality has set up the United States of America for…
‘Alligator Alcatraz’ appears headed for closure
The Trump administration is removing immigrants from Florida’s “Alligator Alcatraz” detention center after a federal judge ordered operations downsized by late October. The Department of Homeland Security announced the move after U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams’ Aug. 21 order prohibiting…
Florida faith leaders plead with DeSantis to slow executions
More than 100 Florida faith leaders signed a letter pleading with Gov. Ron DeSantis to pause the fast pace of executions in the state this year. Seven men have been executed already in 2025, and two more are scheduled to…
Six Southern states create new accrediting agency
With U.S. President Donald Trump attempting to force academic accrediting agencies to be less “woke” and more responsive to conservatives’ demands, six public universities last week announced formation of their own accrediting agency. This is an attempt to separate from…
DeSantis charity investigated for fraud after misusing $10 million
A $10 million scandal has engulfed Hope Florida, a charity founded by Casey DeSantis, wife of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, that was created to help needy people get help from faith groups and nonprofits rather than the state. The problem…
Federal judge blocks DeSantis’ effort to censor TV ads on abortion measure
A federal judge took Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis to school on the First Amendment in siding with a nonprofit organization’s right to air a TV ad promoting an abortion rights measure on the Nov. 5 ballot. Chief U.S. District Judge…