HIGH PRIORITY ACTION ALERT!

‘DON’T SAY BLACK’ ANTI-DEI BILL TO BE HEARD TUESDAY!

Members and Friends,

Your ACTION #1: Please contact the members of the Senate Rules Committee and tell them to vote ‘NO’ on SB 1134.

CLICK HERE FOR CONTACT INFORMATION.

Your ACTION #2: Please post the ‘Don’t Say Black’ meme, attached to this email, to your social media

The “Don’t Say Black” bill in Florida, also known as Anti-Diversity in Local Government, is speeding through the legislature — it passed its second of three committees in each chamber this week, and we know the Governor is pushing for it. While a number of carve-outs to applicability have been adopted, they cannot fix the fundamental flaws of this bill. Senate Bill 1134 will be heard at 12:00 noon in the Rules Committee on Tuesday, February 17. We expect the House companion bill, HB 1001, to be heard later in the week.

The sweeping and vague threat of the bill centers on its definition of so-called “DEI,” which is defunded, banned, and repealed in any local government policy, ordinance, or program:

“Diversity, equity, and inclusion” means any effort to:

1. Manipulate or otherwise influence the composition of employees with

reference to race, color, sex, ethnicity, gender identity, or sexual orientation other than to ensure that hiring is conducted in accordance with state and federal antidiscrimination laws;

2. Promote or provide preferential treatment or special benefits to a

person or group based on that person’s or group’s race, color, sex, ethnicity, gender identity or sexual orientation, or

3. Promote or adopt training, programming, or activities designed or

implemented with reference to race, color, sex, ethnicity, gender identity or sexual orientation.

The chilling effect here is undeniable, as any city or county resident can bring a lawsuit, and any City or County Commissioner engaging in allegedly prohibited activity can be removed from office.  What local elected official would risk recognizing Black History Month, when any white supremacist can sue and they can be removed from office?

Best,

Pam Burch Fort,

NAACP FL Legislative Lobbyist