More and more organisations are calling out Florida as an unwelcome state to travel citing Florida Governor Ron DeSantis' and recent legislation that he has signed into law.
Recently we have had two advocacy groups warning that travelers might be at risk if they visit the state of Florida, citing recent legislation that's hostile toward LGBTQ people as well as other communities.
Equality Florida, an LGBTQ advocacy group, warned that "Florida may not be a safe place to move or visit" over the state's anti-LGBTQ laws, restrictions on access to reproductive health care, its repeal of gun safety laws and racial prejudice, then The Florida Immigrant Coalition also issued a blunt advisory to those considering visiting Florida, advising that travel to all parts of Florida "should be done with extreme caution," particularly for people of color and individuals with accents or who are traveling from abroad.
Now civil rights organization, The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People have issued a travel advisory for those travelling to Florida, citing state laws that they say are restricting diversity, equity, and inclusion.
The formal notice from NAACP is the organizations response to what they call Florida Governor Ron DeSantis' aggressive attempts to erase Black history and to restrict any diversity, equity, and inclusion programs in Florida schools.
The travel advisor notice from NAACP is on the organisation's website, and it reads:
"Florida is openly hostile toward African Americans, people of color and LGBTQ+ individuals. Before traveling to Florida, please understand that the state of Florida devalues and marginalizes the contributions of, and the challenges faced by African Americans and other communities of color."
"Let me be clear - failing to teach an accurate representation of the horrors and inequalities that Black Americans have faced and continue to face is a disservice to students and a dereliction of duty to all," said NAACP President & CEO Derrick Johnson. "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. He should know that democracy will prevail because its defenders are prepared to stand up and fight. We're not backing down, and we encourage our allies to join us in the battle for the soul of our nation."
The travel advisory was initially proposed to the Board of Directors by NAACP's Florida State Conference. NAACP's consideration of this advisory is a result from what they say are unrelenting attacks on fundamental freedoms from the Governor and his legislative body.
"Once again, hate-inspired state leaders have chosen to put politics over people. Governor Ron DeSantis and the state of Florida have engaged in a blatant war against principles of diversity and inclusion and rejected our shared identities to appeal to a dangerous, extremist minority," said Chair of the NAACP Board of Directors, Leon Russell. "We will not not allow our rights and history to be held hostage for political grandstanding. The NAACP proudly fights against the malicious attacks in Florida, against Black Americans. I encourage my fellow Floridians to join in this fight to protect ourselves and our democracy."
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