Florida is a popular place to visit, with more than 137 million tourists last year, according to Visit Florida. But in light of recent laws and policies, the NAACP has issued a travel advisory for the Sunshine State ahead of the busy Memorial Day weekend.
The NAACP Board of Directors issued the formal travel advisory after Florida’s governor’s administration rejected the College Board’s Advanced Placement African American Studies course in January.
Lawmakers have also banned the teaching of critical race theory in public schools and implemented what they call The Stop W.O.K.E. Act.
The Syracuse-Onondaga NAACP’s president said to avoid Florida if you can.
“What the NAACP wants people to be aware of is that there are a lot of laws that are being passed in Florida that have a very negative impact on Black and brown people," said Syracuse-Onondaga NAACP President Gwendolyn Muok.
“I see what's happening down there as trying to push the civil rights movement back to the 40s. That's what I see. And I think in today's climate, I don't really think the majority of Americans are going to stand by and let it," Muok said.
Syracuse-Onondaga NAACP’s president suggests visiting a neighboring state instead.
After the NAACP’s announcement, a spokesman for Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis called the travel advisory “nothing more than a stunt.”
DeSantis has also been adamant that his administration's goal is to provide families choice in education.
Civil rights groups, the League of United Latin American Citizens and Equality Florida also issued travel advisories.