ACLU sues Texas over law that says government contractors can't boycott Israel

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Someone needs to tell Texas that participating in or advocating a boycott is activity protected by the First Amendment

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ACLU sues Texas over law that says contractors can't boycott Israel

By Emanuella Grinberg and Janet DiGiacomo, CNN

Updated 2:41 AM ET, Thu December 20, 2018

(CNN) -- The American Civil Liberties Union of Texas filed a lawsuit Tuesday challenging a state law that requires government contractors to certify they are not engaged in boycotts of Israel, the ACLU said.

The lawsuit, filed on behalf of four Texans, argues the law "forces them to choose between their livelihoods and their First Amendment rights."

It's the second lawsuit this week to challenge the state law, also known as an "anti-BDS" law for targeting those who participate in "boycott, divestment and sanctions" campaigns against Israel. The BDS movement aims to generate economic and political pressure on Israel to end its occupation of Palestinian territories.

House Bill 89, enacted in 2017, prohibits all state agencies from contracting with companies that boycott Israel. When Gov. Greg Abbott signed the law, a press release from his office said the measure showed "Texas' strong support for Israel" and declared that "anti-Israel policies are anti-Texas policies."
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