Texas sued by Houston contractor due to anti-BDS law
The lawsuit states that the 2017 Texas law violates First Amendment rights to protest via economic boycott
An engineering firm in Houston, Texas filed a federal lawsuit against the city, challenging a Texas law barring the state from doing business with companies participating in the boycott, divestment, and sanctions movement (BDS) against Israel.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) filed the lawsuit on behalf of Rasmy Hassouna, the executive vice president of A&R Engineering and Testing, stating that the 2017 Texas law violates its First Amendment right to protest via economic boycott.
A&R said it was unable to renew its contract with the city due to a section that required it to certify it was not actively boycotting Israel.
When demanding that the provision be removed from the contract, Assistant City Attorney Arnold Colunga stated in an email that "the City's hands are tied" and the request was denied.
“I believe in liberty and freedom… when I saw that statement, it contradicts everything I believe about this country,” Hassouna said during a press conference, according to Houston Public Media.
A&R has done more than $2 million of business with the city of Houston, according to the suit. It is seeking a temporary restraining order to prevent Houston from offering the unsigned contract to a different engineering company.
It is also asking the city to award A&R a new contract without the anti-BDS clause, as well as compensate for economic damages caused by the enforcement of the clause.
“It is my right and duty to boycott Israel and any products of Israel,” Hassouna stated according to Bloomberg. “This policy is against my constitutional right and against International Law.”