Posted on 08/19/2022 5:25:47 AM PDT by MtnClimber
A federal judge has suspended partial enforcement of Florida's "Stop WOKE Act," a bill backed by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis that restricts how companies and schools discuss race.
DeSantis signed the bill into law in April. It would limit race-based teachings in schools, and the way that private companies carry out mandatory diversity, equity, and inclusion trainings. Companies that have 15 employees or more could face civil lawsuits if they're accused of violating the law.
In his opinion, Chief US District Judge Mark Walker blocked the employer portion of the law, saying it violated free speech. He compared the law to Netflix's blockbuster science-fiction hit, "Stranger Things."
"In the popular television series Stranger Things, the 'upside down' describes a parallel dimension containing a distorted version of our world," Walker, a nominee of then-President Barack Obama, wrote in his opinion. "Recently, Florida has seemed like a First Amendment upside down."
"Normally, the First Amendment bars the state from burdening speech, while private actors may burden speech freely," Walker continued. "But in Florida, the First Amendment apparently bars private actors from burdening speech, while the state may burden speech freely."
The governor's press office didn't immediately respond to a request for comment. When DeSantis signed the bill into law he issued a statement likening the trainings and teachings to "indoctrination," saying, "no one should be instructed to feel as if they are not equal or shamed because of their race."
(Excerpt) Read more at businessinsider.com ...
What if the color “white” and “black” are swapped in CRT material? Is that still free speech?
Yes, the judge says that teaching racism and KKK activism is allowed by private groups.
MtnClimber, You are right, and it looks like this judge is ruling based on his opinion rather than on constitutional guarantees.
“What if the color “white” and “black” are swapped in CRT material?”
What an excellent question. I’d recommend that this test be enshrined in law.
Obama judge, of course.
And under the 1st amendment that is correct. That’s why the 1st amendment protects KKK marches, etc.
What if the color “white” and “black” are swapped in CRT material? Is that still free speech?
~~~
It’s nothing but hipocrisy on every level.
The first amendment protects your right to religion FROM the government, so because of that you wont have religion forced on you in the schools, but because of free speech and freedom of religion as AN INDIVIDUAL you can practice your faith and speech in school.
The free speech clause of the first amendment does not protect the SCHOOL’S “right” to free speech. It doesn’t exist, and in fact, precedent is that the school cannot force their opinions on the individual, because that in effect squelches the INDIVIDUAL’S right to free speech.
This ain’t over.....by a damned sight.
Seems like the Judicial Branch is morphing into the Keystone Kops.
Federal judges watch childrens’ shows? Makes me feel a whole lot better about our judicial system.
“He compared the law to Netflix’s blockbuster science-fiction hit, “Stranger Things.””
It looks like his rulings are based on his television viewing habits.
The SCOFL will overturn this, and SCOTUS, if it gets involved, will let SCOFL ruling stand.
All this does is prove the third thesis of Chajin’s Political Science, which is that nothing is ever settled until it is settled the way the Left wants it settled, and then it’s supposed to be settled forever. Put more simply, we have always been at war with EastLeftia.
He also blocked the ANTI RIOT LAWin 2021..pos DEMOCRAT. .
Nice point, and so true. I would be curious to hear the other theses.
State’s need to ignore federal judges in state matters. They have no standing.
State’s = States
Employees should have the freedom to refuse ‘training’ that doesn’t relate to their actual position. That should be easy to write into a law.
Somewhere, somehow, the courts need to be forced to recognize that the “race, creed, color” statements in everybody’s non-discrimination clauses includes white people, too.
In a perfect First Amendment world everyone should be able to say what they want.
Collectivists are seeking to use taxpayer cash and state institutions to promote the Blame Cult and moral ambiguity.
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