'Scorched earth': DeSantis accused of burning Florida for his own political ambitions
The NAACP's travel advisory warning that Florida is “openly hostile toward African Americans, people of color and LGBTQ+ individuals" is the latest sign of a growing backlash against Gov. Ron DeSantis' enactment of ultra right-wing laws targeting marginalized groups, columnist Ja’han Jones wrote for MSNBC Monday.
"Under the leadership of Governor DeSantis, the state of Florida has become hostile to Black Americans and in direct conflict with the democratic ideals that our union was founded upon," the NAACP said in a statement over the weekend.
“Before traveling to Florida,” the NAACP wrote, “please understand that the State of Florida devalues and marginalizes the contributions of and the challenges faced by African Americans and other minorities.”
The NAACP’s announcement follows similar moves by Equity Florida, an LGBTQ+ advocacy group, and the League of United Latin American Citizens.
Jones wrote that the “three new advisories, taken together, highlight a reality that ought to disturb people in Florida — not merely those who have thought about traveling there.”
“As governor, DeSantis has been an overbearing and dictatorial executive, even when it comes to right-wing lawmakers in the legislature who are, for the most part, politically aligned with him.
“Whether it’s watering down the power of Black voters, demonizing LGBTQ people, maligning migrants or targeting private corporations that defy the governor’s political will, Florida Republicans largely acquiesce to DeSantis’ wishes.”
Jones wrrote that the travel warnings, along with DeSantis’ ongoing dispute with Walt Disney Co., which compelled the company last week to announce plans to scrap a $1 billion campus that would have added 2,000 jobs to Florida, imperils the Sunshine State’s economy.
Jones wrote that “all of these things stand to negatively affect Florida — not just by debasing its politics, but, as the travel advisories show, by threatening the state’s economy as well. DeSantis is going scorched earth in Florida as he looks toward greener pastures.”
“The travel advisories, much like Disney’s decision to nix a future development in Florida as DeSantis wages a political war against the company, are instructive. They show that no matter where DeSantis is living in 2024, it’s Floridians who will be dealing with the firestorm he has created.”
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