(Miami, FL, 3/19/25) – The Florida chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-FL) today welcomed Miami Beach Mayor Steven Meiner dropping his unconstitutional proposal to evict O Cinema as a reprisal after his initial failed attempt to censor them from showing the Oscar-winning Palestinian documentary No Other Land.
O Cinema, an arthouse theatre, showed the documentary after having initially pulled it due to a letter denouncing the film sent by Mayor Steven Meiner. Meiner announced a proposal to terminate the cinema’s lease and discontinue around $40,000 in grant funding on Tuesday.
SEE: Florida Theater Faces Closure for Showing Palestinian Film ‘No Other Land’ – Newsweek
Miami Herald reported earlier today that Mayor Meiner’s “… decision came after five of Meiner’s colleagues said they would oppose the eviction proposal, which also called for pulling city grant funding to the theater.”
SEE: Miami Beach mayor drops proposal to evict O Cinema for screening ‘No Other Land’
In a statement, CAIR-FL Executive Director Imam Abdullah Jaber said:
“Public pressure works. CAIR, CAIR-FL, and the ACLU—among others—applied public pressure on Miami Beach Mayor Steven Meiner to drop his failed proposal to censor our cherished First Amendment right to freedom of speech, which protects artistic expression. He first attempted to censor the screening of No Other Land and later tried to terminate the lease and evict O Cinema. We welcome Mayor Meiner’s failure on both attempts.”
Imam Jaber added: “Our organization remains steadfast in its commitment to safeguarding our community’s rights and will remain vigilant against the aggression and apparent pattern of discrimination that Mayor Meiner repeatedly exhibits in targeting Arab and Palestinian residents, business owners, and visitors.”
About CAIR-Florida:
CAIR-Florida is the state’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, foster dialogue, safeguard civil liberties for all, empower American Muslims, and form coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.
La misión de CAIR-Florida es mejorar la comprensión del Islam, fomentar el diálogo, proteger las libertades civiles, capacitar a los musulmanes estadounidenses, y construir coaliciones que promuevan la justicia y la comprensión mutua.
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CONTACT: CAIR-FL Communications Director Wilfredo Amr Ruiz, (305) 502-6749, [email protected]
