The measure expands Florida’s anti-discrimination laws to prohibit schools and companies from leveling guilt or blame to students and employees based on race or sex, taking aim at lessons over issues like “white privilege.” | Michael Loccisano/Getty Images
06/21/2022 06:39 PM EDT
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — A federal judge in the coming days will decide whether to block Florida from enforcing a high-profile new law backed by Gov. Ron DeSantis that limits how race can be brought up in the classroom and workplace.
Lawyers representing a group of parents and educators challenging the so-called “Stop WOKE Act” faced off in court Tuesday against the state in an attempt to put the policies on hold as the case plays out in the legal system. The timing is critical since education agencies are crafting rules to soon enact the measure.
While the group argued that the legislation is suppressing free speech, Chief U.S. District Judge Mark Walker expressed “grave concerns” about the lawsuit, whose sole student defendant is an incoming kindergartner.
“How in the world would I find there’s anything imminent?” Walker said at one point during Tuesday’s 5-hour hearing.
The lawsuit, filed minutes after DeSantis signed FL HB 7 (22R), or the Individual Freedom Act, in April, is attempting to overturn the controversial bill that targets any traces critical race theory inside Florida’s school system and “woke” corporate trainings at companies. But with trial set for next April, the...
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