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Austin proclaims Care Austin Day as CAIR Austin speaker criticizes governor’s proclamation
Summary
Council member Crystal Lane read a proclamation declaring Jan. 26, 2026, as Care Austin Day; Shayma Zayan of CAIR Austin used her remarks to criticize a Nov. 18 governor’s proclamation that she said labeled CAIR (as transcribed) and has been used to silence and discriminate against Muslim communities.
Council member Crystal Lane introduced a proclamation recognizing Care Austin’s civic‑engagement and civil‑rights work and read the proclamation aloud at the Jan. 2, 2026 council meeting.
"Now, therefore, I, council member Crystal Lane, on behalf of mayor Kirk Watson and the entire city council, do hereby proclaim 01/26/2026 as Care Austin Day in Austin, Texas," Lane read as she presented the honor.
Shayma Zayan, operations manager with CAIR Austin, spoke after the proclamation was announced. Zayan thanked council member Krista Lane and Mayor Kirk Watson and said the proclamation was meaningful to Austin’s Muslim community.
Zayan also criticized a Nov. 18 governor’s proclamation that, as she described it, designated CAIR a foreign terrorist and transnational criminal organization. "I and my colleagues ... woke up the morning of November 18 to a shameful proclamation issued by our governor that unconstitutionally and unlawfully designate CAIR ... as a foreign terrorist and transnational criminal organization," Zayan said, adding that the action has been used to silence and discriminate against the Muslim community and citing examples such as limits on access to school facilities and youth programs.
Lane and other council members affirmed the city’s commitment to inclusion; the proclamation recognizes Care Austin’s role in civic engagement, civil‑rights advocacy and strengthening reporting pathways for hate incidents. The proclamation will be provided to the organization’s office.
