Fla. advocacy groups issue travel warning
Two of the state of Florida’s largest civil and human rights groups took an unusual extraordinary step of issuing a warning to travelers to avoid traveling to the “Sunshine State” as a result of the policies of Republican Gov.
Ron DeSantis. Equality Florida, the largest statewide LGBTQ civil rights advocacy group, and the Florida Immigrant Coalition warned the passage of laws that are hostile to the LGBTQ community, restrict access to reproductive health care, repeal gun safety laws, foment racial prejudice, and attack public education by banning books and censoring curriculum, has made Florida a risk to the health, safety and civil liberties of those considering short or long term travel, or relocation to the state.
DeSantis’ press secretary Bryan Griffin told Fox News: “As the governor noted previously, this type of thing is a political stunt.
We aren’t going to waste time worrying about political stunts but will continue doing what is right for Floridians.” “As an organization that has spent decades working to improve Florida’s reputation as a welcoming and inclusive place to live work and visit, it is with great sadness that we must respond to those asking if it is safe to travel to Florida or remain in the state as the laws strip away basic rights and freedoms,” said Equality Florida Executive Director Nadine Smith. “While losing conferences, and top students who have written off Florida threatens lasting damage to our state, it is most heartbreaking to hear from parents who are selling their homes and moving because school censorship, book bans and health care restrictions have made their home state less safe for their children.
