The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) has issued a travel advisory for the state of Florida in response to what it calls an “all-out attack” on Black Americans and other marginalized communities. The warning comes in response to Governor Ron DeSantis’ recent actions, including signing bills that restrict diversity and equity programs in schools, limit undocumented migrant labor, and toughen penalties against those who transport undocumented immigrants into the state. The NAACP warns that Florida is “openly hostile” towards African Americans, people of color, and LGBTQ+ individuals.[0]
The NAACP is not the only civil rights organization to issue a travel warning for Florida. The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), one of the oldest and largest Hispanic civil rights groups in the U.S., has urged immigrants and their families to avoid traveling to Florida due to the potential threat it poses to them.[1] LULAC’s warning comes in response to Governor DeSantis’ ongoing crackdown on immigration, including a new law set to go into effect in July that limits undocumented migrant labor and toughens penalties against those who transport undocumented immigrants into the state.
The warnings also come as Governor DeSantis signed a series of controversial bills into law earlier this month. The bills restrict gender-affirming care for minors, threaten drag shows, forbid people from using bathrooms that match their gender identity, and prevent people from using their chosen pronouns at schools.[2] These new laws have led to concerns about discrimination against the LGBTQ+ community in Florida.
Equality Florida, an LGBTQ+ advocacy group, has also issued a travel advisory for the state.[0] The group says the advisory was prompted by “the passage of laws that are hostile to the LGBTQ community, restrict access to reproductive health care, repeal gun safety laws, foment racial prejudice and attack public education by banning books and censoring curriculum.”
The NAACP’s travel advisory also references Governor DeSantis’ rejection of the College Board’s Advanced Placement African American Studies class, which some see as an attempt to erase Black history from Florida’s schools.[0]
In response to the travel advisories, Governor DeSantis’ office issued a statement saying, “We aren’t going to waste our time worrying about political stunts.[3] Our commitment remains unwavering to doing what is best for the people of Florida.[3]
The warnings from civil rights organizations have also raised concerns about the potential economic impact on Florida’s tourism industry. LULAC has warned that the new immigration law may harm the economy as people choose not to travel to Florida. Arizona’s similar law in 2010 prompted a boycott that led to the immediate loss of millions of dollars to Arizona’s tourism industry.[4]
The NAACP and LULAC are both urging their allies to join them in fighting for the rights of marginalized communities in Florida. As NAACP President & CEO Derrick Johnson said, “We’re not backing down, and we encourage our allies to join us in the battle for the soul of our nation.[3]
0. “NAACP posts Florida travel warning, warns DeSantis’ policies ‘hostile to Black Americans'” Tallahassee Democrat, 21 May. 2023, https://www.tallahassee.com/story/news/politics/2023/05/21/desantis-policies-undemocratic-and-hostile-to-black-americans-says-naacp/70240494007
1. “Florida’s new immigration law prompts travel advisory from Latino advocacy group” CNN, 19 May. 2023, https://www.cnn.com/2023/05/19/economy/desantis-florida-immigration-law/index.html
2. “NAACP advises against traveling to Florida: ‘Openly hostile toward African Americans'” The Independent, 20 May. 2023, https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/naacp-travel-florida-ron-desantis-b2343038.html
3. “Travel advisory | NAACP, Equality Florida issue travel advisory urging people to avoid Florida over Gov. Desantis Woke policies” KABC-TV, 21 May. 2023, https://abc7.com/naacp-travel-advisory-florida-governor-ron-desantis/13276719/
4. “Civil-rights group issues Florida travel alert in response to DeSantis immigration crackdown” Miami Herald, 18 May. 2023, https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/immigration/article275474061.html
