CAIR-Chicago to file cases leveraging new law

MEDIA ADVISORY

- For Immediate Release and Distribution -

(CHICAGO, IL, 7/10/2024) – On Thursday, July 11, the Chicago Office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest civil rights and advocacy organization, will hold a press conference to highlight a landmark lawsuit where victims, targeted for their defense of the Palestinian people, will utilize the recent Civil Liability for Doxxing Act (Public Act 103-0439).  

WHAT: Press Conference on Landmark Doxxing Cases Under New Law

WHEN: Thursday, July 11, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. 

WHERE: CAIR-Chicago's Azima Center, 17 North State Street, Suite 1500, Chicago, IL 60602

LIVE COVERAGE: Live broadcast on CAIR-Chicago's Facebook page: www.facebook.com/cairchicago

WHO: CAIR-Chicago Executive Director, Ahmed Rehab, CAIR-Chicago's legal director, Phil Robertson, doxxing victims Kinza Khan and Laila Ali.

“The state of anti-Palestinian censorship, retribution, and doxxing is deeply concerning, marked by systematic efforts to intimidate and silence individuals who support Palestinian rights or speak out against Israeli policies,” CAIR-Chicago Executive Director, Ahmed Rehab said. “Whereas all 3 are concerning, doxxing  involves the malicious disclosure of private information such as addresses, phone numbers, and workplaces, often leading to targeted harassment, threats, and real-world consequences for those targeted. It’s time to legally challenge this form of abuse.”  

CAIR-Chicago Litigation Director Phil Robertson added: “Doxxing not only aims to suppress freedom of expression but also creates an atmosphere of fear and vulnerability among Palestinians and their allies, both online and offline. The impact extends beyond individual victims to affect broader advocacy efforts and public discourse on Palestinian issues, highlighting the urgent need for enhanced protections against online abuse and harassment based on political beliefs and affiliations.” 

Client Kinza Khan said:

“The doxxing, harassment, and threats that I faced were completely out of line. This abusive  doxxing behavior is continuing for others who support Palestine, including kids, college students, small business owners, and other vulnerable people. We are witnessing a double standard in how pro-Palestinian doxxing gets addressed, or not addressed, by law enforcement. It’s time to demand that the anti-doxxing law is implemented fairly. 

The Civil Liability for Doxxing Act (Public Act 103-0439), effective January 1, 2024, allows Illinois doxxing victims to take civil action against perpetrators who intentionally publish their personal information without consent, causing harm or economic injury, and enables courts to issue protection orders for the victims' safety. 

CAIR-Chicago’s mission is to defend civil rights, fight bigotry, and promote understanding. 

CONTACT: Ahmed Rehab, Executive Director of CAIR Chicago, 202-870-0166, arehab@cair.com; Maggie Slavin, Operations Manager of CAIR-Chicago, 815-590-3991, mslavin@cair.com; Hafsa Haider, Communications Coordinator of CAIR-Chicago, 561-317-7509, hhaider@cair.com