The NAACP, the oldest civil rights organization in the United States, is now cautioning American travelers to avoid visiting Florida. This comes in light of several controversial policy actions the state government has taken in recent months.
Several of these policy decisions include DeSantis’ attempt to prohibit books about race and LGBTQ+ identities and push back against DEI programs in Florida universities.
The advisory was initially proposed to the national Board of Directors, back in April at the NAACP Florida chapter’s conference in Orlando.
The Left Calls for a Travel Boycott of Florida
The advisory contended that Florida’s state government is increasingly hostile toward African Americans, people of color, and LGBTQ+ individuals. Similarly, NAACP President Derrick Johnson argued DeSantis carried out relentless attacks on foundation freedoms.
"Under the leadership of Governor Desantis, the state of Florida has become hostile to Black Americans and in direct conflict with the democratic ideals that our union was founded upon."
— NAACP President and CEO @DerrickNAACP
Take a stand with us. https://t.co/zsgLbNYL8t
— NAACP (@NAACP) May 20, 2023
Johnson was particularly incensed by the Florida state government’s educational reforms. These allegedly downplay the various trials and tribulations African Americans have faced throughout American history.
Tayn M. Fenske, the communications director of the governor’s office, described the NAACP’s travel advisory as a “stunt” that has had no effect on Florida’s tourism numbers.
The NAACP was also joined by the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), one of the oldest and largest Hispanic civil rights organizations in the US.
The LULAC issued a warning on May 17, advising immigrants and their families to avoid visiting Florida, due to DeSantis’ recent measures to clamp down on illegal immigration.
The NAACP over the weekend issued a travel advisory for Florida, joining two other civil rights groups in warning potential tourists that recent laws championed by Gov. Ron DeSantis and Florida lawmakers are “openly hostile toward African Americans, peo… https://t.co/ZKBY2UAO7Y
— KSTP (@KSTP) May 21, 2023
DeSantis’ Controversial Legislative Action
These warnings come after DeSantis signed a bill in early May that restricts illegal migrant labor.
The bill also terminates community-funded programs that provide illegal aliens with ID cards and imposes stiffer penalties against individuals who transport illegal aliens into the Sunshine State.
Before assuming the position of governor, DeSantis served in Congress from 2013 to 2018. Throughout his time as Florida governor, DeSantis built a strong reputation as a populist conservative who has legislatively confronted the woke left.
He is currently viewed as the strongest potential rival to former President Trump in the 2024 Republican primary for the presidency.
