Civil rights groups warn tourists about Florida after ‘hostile’ laws
ORLANDO, Florida — The NAACP issued a travel advisory for Florida last weekend, joining two other civil rights groups to warn potential tourists that recent laws and policies are being upheld. . Governor Ron DeSantis And Florida legislators are “openly hostile to African Americans, people of color, and LGBTQ+ individuals.”
A longtime advocate for black Americans, the NAACP has joined the Latin American civil rights group LULAC and gay rights advocacy group Equality Florida to support tourism-rich Sunshine State. issued a travel advisory. One of the state’s largest employment sectors.
The warning, approved Saturday by the NAACP board of directors, advises tourists before traveling to Florida that the state “recognises the contributions of African American and other communities of color and the challenges they face.” It is necessary to understand that it is devaluing and alienating.”
An email seeking comment was sent to DeSantis’ office on Sunday morning.The Republican governor is expected to be announce one’s candidacy To this week’s Republican presidential nominees.
Florida is one of the most popular states for tourists in the United States, and tourism is one of the state’s largest industries. More than 137.5 million tourists visited Florida last year, returning to pre-pandemic levels, according to Visit Florida, the state’s tourism promotion agency. The tourism industry supports her 1.6 million full-time and part-time jobs, and in 2019, for which last year’s statistics are available, tourists spent $98.8 billion in Florida.
Several Democratic mayors in Florida were quick to say Sunday that their cities welcome diversity and inclusion.
St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch tweeted that “everyone is welcome and treated with dignity and respect at all times,” with a message echoed by the Tampa mayor across the bay.
Tampa Mayor Jane Castor tweeted, “Whatever happens in Tallahassee, it will never change.”
The NAACP decision came after the DeSantis administration rejected the University Commission’s decision in January. Advanced Placement African American Studies Course. DeSantis and Republican lawmakers are also pushing to ban state colleges. Programs on Diversity, Equity and Inclusionpassed not only critical racial theories, but also the Stop WOKE Act, which restricts conversations and analysis based on certain races in schools and businesses.
LULAC, in a warning to Latinx travelers considering visiting Florida, has banned local government funding of organizations that issue identification documents to people living in Florida illegally. cited a new law that invalidates out-of-state driver licenses held by illegal immigrants. Above all. The law also requires hospitals that accept Medicaid to include citizenship questions in their medical forms, which discourages undocumented immigrants from seeking medical care. Critics point out that the purpose is
“Governor DeSantis’ actions have cast a shadow of terror in communities across the state,” said Lydia Medrano, regional vice president for the Southeastern region of LULAC.
Recent efforts Limit discussion on LGBTQ topics In schools, the removal from school libraries of books with gay references, the recent ban on gender-positive care for minors, and the new Restrictions on Access to Abortion And a law that allows Floridians to carry a concealed gun without permission Equality contributed to Florida’s warning.
The Equality Florida advisory said, “Florida’s array of laws and policies that target fundamental freedoms and rights pose serious risks to the health and safety of those who travel to Florida.”
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https://chicago.suntimes.com/2023/5/21/23732327/civil-rights-groups-warn-tourists-about-florida-in-wake-of-hostile-laws Civil rights groups warn tourists about Florida after ‘hostile’ laws