Senate Bill 266, sponsored by DeSantis in Florida, is currently the target of a federal lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union of Florida (ACLU) and lawyers representing educators, which claims the law is “different. “It punishes educators and students who express views or adverse views.” . ”
Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the bill, which prohibits universities from using federal funds to promote, support, or sustain DEI programs or campus activities starting in 2023.
“Continuing its efforts to police the marketplace of ideas, the Florida Legislature has broadly restricted academic freedom, imposed state-preferred views on public higher education, and targeted educators and students who express different or unfavorable views. We've passed yet another vague, opinion-discriminatory bill that punishes… lawsuitIt said in part that it was filed last week.
REV. Al Sharpton threatens boycott of companies to end DEI: 'You took everything away'
The Florida state flag flies during the game between the North Carolina Tar Heels and the Miami Hurricanes at Hard Rock Stadium on Saturday, October 8, 2022 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Peter Jonereit/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, also known as the acronym DEI, refers to “programs, campuses, and programs that categorize individuals or promote discrimination based on race, color, gender, national origin, gender identity, or sexual orientation. defined as “an activity or policy”. or give preferential treatment to individuals on the basis of such classification.” florida state university system.
The practice has become a focus for conservatives who want to return to a more meritocratic system and an educational curriculum that they say should be less divisive.
The complaint says the regulations on this matter are “vague, inconsistent, and too broad to provide any real guidance other than to indicate the intent of Congress and the Board of Governors to abhor certain speech.” Added the educator's lawyer. These regulations “lead instructors and students to fear not only for education in Florida, but also for the future of free thought and democracy,” they wrote.
The defendants identified in the lawsuit are members of the university system's board of governors and trustees of the universities where the educators work.
Conservative group creates list of 'woke' senior officials calling on Pete Hegseth to be fired
Florida Governor and 2024 Republican presidential candidate Ron DeSantis speaks at the Iowa Republican Party's 2023 Lincoln Dinner held at the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines, Iowa, on July 28, 2023. (Photo by Sergio Flores/AFP via Getty Images)
DEI faces challenges in other education fields as well. Last year, the University of North Carolina Board of Regents voted to eliminate DEI requirements for public universities across the Tar Heel State. States like Alabama, Oklahoma, and Texas have similarly targeted the practice with their own laws.
DeSantis is among the Republicans who have openly expressed disdain for DEI, proudly declaring the Sunshine State to be “a place where woke people go to die.”
President Donald Trump, former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswami, and numerous red state governors have also condemned DEI practices.
On the other hand, some major companies Rolled back DEI program recently.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
