In war, there are casualties. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ “war on woke” is no exception, writes Dean Obeidallah, as groups cancel gatherings in the state.
Governor DeSantis's policies targeting the LGBTQ community, restricting academic freedom, and banning diversity programs have negatively impacted Florida's economy. Several organizations have canceled conventions and events in Orlando due to concerns over DeSantis's "anti-woke" agenda, resulting in an estimated $20 million loss in revenue for the state. Despite this, DeSantis's spokesperson dismissed the economic impact as a "media-driven stunt." However, boycotts in the past have caused enough economic pain to lead to policy changes, so organizations avoiding Florida are doing the right thing by not spending money there while these policies remain in place.
DeSantis is poison for Florida. He's so busy trying to prove how much he hates gays & non-whites that he doesn't take any time to govern. But I guess that's the standard GOP playbook these days.
At the end of the day Florida is guaranteed 2 seats in the senate and due to their size it will be a long while before momentum moves to the point where their house numbers are low.
Republicans want this. They want people of opposing political beliefs to leave their state en mass. Lets not forget that up until recent conservative craziness florida was known as being the most infamous swingstate.
I dont blame people for leaving from an area where their kids will be more poorly educated, where local infrastructure is decentralized highway centric HOA built community hell, and where they may be actively persecuted. It's what the republicans want though.
As an Aussie, I'd never go there..I don't want to get shot and then someone claim they were standing their ground or whatever. As I have no problem with foreigners, lgbt people and I hate guns, why would I go?
As far as we know, it feels like I'd be stepping into kkk/nazi territory. I can go Europe instead where people are super chill
DeSantis will forever be remembered as "that woke guy from Florida" lmao
He kinda attached himself to that word now. At least, that's the only thing I remember form his campaign; "WOKE WOKE WOKE WOKE WOKE WOKE WOKE WOKE WOKE WOKE WOKE"
My family wants to do our first-ever Disney trip, but we’re boycotting Florida for the foreseeable future, and it’s 100% on their government. We look *at a trip to FL like vacationing in Berlin circa 1933 right now.
I had planned a WDW vacation before COVID scuttled those plans. Now that it's safe to travel again, I have no plans to visit Florida for any reason whatsoever for the foreseeable future. Still taking the family on that vacation; we're just doing it in California instead.
I grew up here, have family here and have built a life here. It really is awful how much the state is being destroyed, so much has changed since 2016, it is unreal.
The propaganda has been incredibly effective here, and it is absolutely disheartening.
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His anti-“woke” message is prompting organizations and corporations to cancel conventions and other events that are an essential part of Florida’s vital hospitality economy.
The NAACP issued a travel advisory in May warning that the Sunshine State has come to be seen as “openly hostile toward African Americans, people of color and LGBTQ+ individuals” under DeSantis.
Its statement was followed by similar warnings from the League of United Latin American Citizens and Equality Florida, a gay rights advocacy group, advising about extreme policies that travelers from some communities might view as hostile.
Tony Pals, spokesperson for the group, in an email to CNN, explained that the organization would not hold a conference or event in a state such as Florida that has enacted anti-trans laws.
As CNN reported Sunday, Stacy Ritter, president and CEO of the Visit Lauderdale tourism marketing agency, noted that 10 events and conventions were canceled by organizations “citing recently enacted laws, policies and travel advisories.”
The consequences for North Carolina meant millions in estimated lost revenue, especially after the 2017 NBA All-Star Game and NCAA championships were moved from the state.
DeSantis will forever be remembered as "that woke guy from Florida" lmao
He kinda attached himself to that word now. At least, that's the only thing I remember form his campaign; "WOKE WOKE WOKE WOKE WOKE WOKE WOKE WOKE WOKE WOKE WOKE"
As a Floridian, please don't come. We make most of our money off of tourism, hospitality, and healthcare services. Go somewhere else, let this state die.