(UnitedVoice.com) – Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R) has attracted the ire of Democrats in his state and across the country. He has repeatedly passed bills to prevent the indoctrination of children in his state or to prevent groups from using state funds to push radical ideologies. His opponents have accused him of discriminating against blacks, Hispanics, and members of the LGBTQ+ communities. They have dusted off the “fascist” and “authoritarian” labels they often used to attack former President Donald Trump and are now using them against him.
Recently, several Civil Rights organizations issued warnings because of the governor. However, DeSantis is completely unfazed by the criticism.
NAACP Warning
On May 20, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) issued a travel advisory for the state of Florida. According to a press release, the organization’s board of directors was directly responding to DeSantis’ alleged attempts to erase the history of black people “and to restrict diversity, equity, and inclusion programs” in schools.
The notice claims the Sunshine State is “openly hostile” to black and brown people as well as members of the LGBTQ+ community. It goes on to say that anyone planning to visit Florida needs to understate the state “devalues and marginalizes” black people and their challenges.
Derrick Johnson, the organization’s president and CEO, said the state is doing a disservice to students by allegedly failing to teach them the “horrors and inequalities” black people have faced. He went on to accuse the governor’s policies of conflicting with the Founding Fathers’ ideals when they created the USA and pledged the NAACP would not back down, encouraging other allies to join them in fighting for the nation’s soul.
Equality Florida, an LGBTQ+ group, and the League of United Latin American Citizens have also warned people about visiting the state.
Florida Responds
The day after the NAACP issued its advisory, DeSantis gave a speech and called it a “joke.” He told the crowd that during the pandemic, a lot of the same folks had a problem with Florida and slammed it, then they would be seen “spotted on the beach somewhere, vacationing” in the state. He went on to call it all “ridiculous.”
Bryan Griffin, the governor’s press secretary, called the travel advisory “just noise” after touting DeSantis’ accomplishments. Jeremy Redfern, a spokesperson for the governor, shared a gif of the governor’s response.
https://t.co/utIiJtFAEP pic.twitter.com/tOmszroAc9
— Jeremy Redfern (@JeremyRedfernFL) May 20, 2023
Christina Pushaw, another spokesperson for DeSantis, asked, “Does this mean no Urban Beach Week?”
DeSantis is expected to announce his bid for the GOP nomination for the White House at any time. He reportedly plans to run his campaign on a “make America, Florida” type of platform.
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