1. United States
2. Fla.
3. Letter

HB 1471 and SB 1632, which are under consideration right now, would turn the state into an enforcement network for unilateral terrorism designations. Under this new system, there is no need for police officers, evidence, warrants, trials, judges or juries. A handful of state officials can simply declare an American organization the governor dislikes a “terrorist group” and pursue felony criminal charges. Once labeled, the consequences are immediate and devastating. State agencies, local governments, schools, colleges, and universities must cut funding, dismantle programs, sever affiliations, and expel students that support or work with the targeted groups, all without any proof of criminal conduct. Membership and association alone become the crimes. Two other bills, HB 1473 and SB 1634, ensure this abuse of power operates in secrecy. Under HB 1473, the factual basis for terrorism designations can be withheld from public records. Under SB 1634, meetings where those designations are discussed can be closed entirely. Together, these bills would effectively turn Florida into a police state. The people of Florida cannot allow this to happen. Even Floridians who support Israel or adore Ron DeSantis should recognize the danger here. No governor should have the power to label American organizations “terrorists,” strip them of their rights, and authorize criminal charges against their members and supporters, all based on secret evidence without any due process. Stopping these bills is not just about protecting one civil rights group. It’s about preventing those in power from targeting every nonprofit they dislike, whether the ACLU, the NRA, Planned Parenthood, National Right to Life or any other group on different sides of the issues that divide our nation.