NAACP among civil rights groups warning tourists about Florida in wake of 'hostile' laws
Latino civil rights organization, gay rights advocacy group have also issued travel advisories for the state
The NAACP over the weekend issued a travel advisory for Florida, joining two other civil rights groups in warning potential tourists that recent laws and policies championed by Gov. Ron DeSantis and Florida lawmakers are "openly hostile toward African Americans, people of colour and LGBTQ+ individuals."
The NAACP, long an advocate for Black Americans, joined the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), a Latino civil rights organization, and Equality Florida, a gay rights advocacy group, in issuing travel advisories for the Sunshine State, where tourism is one of the state's largest job sectors.
The warning approved Saturday by the NAACP's board of directors tells tourists that before travelling to Florida, they should understand that the state "devalues and marginalizes the contributions of, and the challenges faced by African Americans and other communities of colour."
An email was sent Sunday morning to DeSantis's office seeking comment. He's expected to announce a run for the Republican presidential nomination this week.
Tourism is big business in Florida
Florida is one of the most popular states in the U.S. for tourists, and tourism is one of its biggest industries. More than 137.5 million tourists visited Florida last year, marking a return to pre-pandemic levels, according to Visit Florida, the state's tourism promotion agency.
Tourism supports 1.6 million full-time and part-time jobs, and visitors spent $98.8 billion US in Florida in 2019, the last year figures are available.
Several of Florida's Democratic mayors were quick to say Sunday that their cities welcome diversity and inclusion.
"EVERYONE is always welcome and will be treated with dignity and respect," tweeted Mayor Ken Welch of St. Petersburg in a message echoed by the mayor across the bay in Tampa.
"That will never change, regardless of what happens in Tallahassee," tweeted Mayor Jane Castor of Tampa.
As Mayor of Tampa, I can absolutely assure anyone and everyone considering a visit or move to Tampa that they will be welcomed with open arms. Diversity and inclusion are central to what makes Tampa one of America's greatest and friendliest cities. That will never change,…
—@JaneCastorThe NAACP's decision comes after DeSantis's administration in January rejected the College Board's Advanced Placement African American Studies course.
DeSantis and Republican lawmakers have also pressed forward with measures that ban state colleges from having programs on diversity, equity and inclusion, as well as critical race theory, and also passed the Stop WOKE Act that restricts certain race-based conversations and analysis in schools and businesses.
'A shadow of fear'
In its warning for Hispanic travellers considering a visit to Florida, LULAC cited a new law that prohibits local governments from providing money to organizations that issue identification cards to people illegally in the country and invalidates out-of-state driver's licences held by undocumented immigrants, among other things.
The law also requires hospitals that accept Medicaid to include a citizenship question on intake forms, which critics have said is intended to dissuade immigrants living in the U.S. illegally from seeking medical care.
"The actions taken by Governor DeSantis have created a shadow of fear within communities across the state," said Lydia Medrano, a LULAC vice-president for the Southeast region.
Recent efforts to limit discussion on LGBTQ topics in schools, the removal of books with gay characters from school libraries, a recent ban on gender-affirming care for minors, new restrictions on abortion access and a law allowing Floridians to carry concealed guns without a permit contributed to Equality Florida's warning.
"Taken in their totality, Florida's slate of laws and policies targeting basic freedoms and rights pose a serious risk to the health and safety of those travelling to the state," Equality Florida's advisory said.
Several Pride events in the state have been cancelled recently, with organizers citing the anti-LGBTQ laws.
In St. Cloud, southeast of Orlando, organizers this week said they had made the "difficult decision" to call off a Pride festival, scheduled to take place next month, due to safety concerns.
"Florida has recently passed a number of laws that target the LGBTQIA+ community," they wrote in a Facebook post. "These laws have created a climate of fear and hostility for LGBTQIA+ people in Florida. We believe that holding an LGBTQIA+ event in this environment would put our community at risk."
Meanwhile, an event in Tampa that features drag performers was also cancelled ahead of its September date, with organizers behind Pride on the River telling the Tampa Bay Times they "didn't want to take any chances."
With files from CBC News