PUSHBACK: Florida NAACP takes Ron DeSantis to the woodshed

PUSHBACK: Florida NAACP takes Ron DeSantis to the woodshed

In the year 2023, the more things change, the more that they remain the same. A Florida chapter of the NAACP has called for the national organization to issue a travel advisory for the state of Florida amid Ron DeSantis’ attack on Black history and civil and human rights.

As America rolls back the clock on the contributions, experiences, and overall existence of the African-American community, the NAACP is pushing back on DeSantis for his fascist and authoritarian ways.

“The policies of Governor Ron DeSantis are racially discriminatory and should be staunchly opposed by implementing a Travel Advisory ban,” longtime civil rights activist and founder of Jacksonville, Florida’s Northside Coalition, Ben Frazier, said.

“This is not a stunt or a joke! It is in fact a serious attempt to protest the constitutional rights of Florida’s 3 million people of color.”

“The policies of Governor Ron DeSantis are racially discriminatory and should be staunchly opposed by implementing a Travel Advisory Ban.”

Occupy Democrats reached out to the civil rights advocate who said, “We are calling on Civil Rights organizations throughout the state to consider participating in a Statewide Travel Advisory ban.”

The effort calls for people to rethink moving to or visiting the Sunshine State.

“We feel DeSantis policies have ushered in a new era of racial discrimination in Florida while attacking Black history and Black voters,” Frazier said

Reminiscent of the Jim Crow days – when Black Americans had a “Green Book” to let them know which states, cities, and places were safe for African-Americans traveling across the country – the warnings are all too real.

A statement from Lee County NAACP President James Muwakkil put the organization’s priorities into perspective, saying that the advisory would “send a message to voters” about what’s happening in Florida, and aims to “prevent DeSantis from becoming president.”

“We want to educate the voters for the 2024 election. By Blacks not coming here then that’s not on the NAACP’s shoulders — that’s on the governor’s shoulders,”Muwakkil said.

Gov. Ron DeSantis has been very clear that he wants to eradicate Black history and Black lives.

“Too many of us are mysteriously and suspiciously quiet,'” Frazier said.

“Agitation, education, organization. We have to begin to recognize that none of us is as smart as all of us.”

Florida is home to four Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) — including Bethune-Cookman University, Edward Waters College, Florida A&M University, and Florida Memorial University — whose voices matter.

The NAACP travel ban and advisory has the potential to cripple a state dependent on tourism.

A vocal critic of Florida’s governor, Frazier was forcibly removed from a press conference by DeSantis brown shirts.

After DeSantis was named in a United Nations report on human and civil rights abuses in Florida, Frazier was invited to testify before the body.

DeSantis has been put on notice.

Follow Ty Ross on Twitter @cooltxchick

Ty Ross

News journalist for Washington Press and Occupy Democrats.