SARASOTA, Fla. — Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday signed legislation to defund diversity, equity, and inclusion programs at all state universities, which he called a "distraction from the core mission."
"This is better viewed as standing for discrimination, exclusion, and indoctrination, and that has no place in our public institutions," DeSantis said at a news conference in Sarasota.
"If you want to do things like gender ideology, go to (the University of California) Berkeley," DeSantis added. "There's nothing wrong with that, per se, but for us, with our tax dollars, we want to focus on the classical mission of what a university is supposed to be."
Under the law, Florida state universities are barred from spending state or federal funds to promote, support or maintain any programs that "advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion, or promote or engage in political or social activism."
"What this does is reorient our universities back to their traditional mission and part of that traditional mission is to treat people as individuals, not to try to divvy them up based on any type of superficial characteristics," DeSantis said.
The law also demands that general education courses "may not distort significant historical events or include a curriculum that teaches identity politics" based on "theories that systemic racism, sexism, oppression, and privilege are inherent in the institutions of the United States and were created to maintain social, political, and economic inequities."
DeSantis signed the legislation at the liberal arts New College of Florida, where he has been steering a conservative takeover. Earlier this year, DeSantis replaced six members of the college's board of trustees with conservative allies.
In addition, the law gives university presidents and boards of trustees more hiring power.
"They're more accountable to the people of Florida who they're using our tax dollars," DeSantis said. "It's easier to be able to make changes if they're failing at their mission."
Making light of protests at the college, DeSantis said he was "a little disappointed" in the turnout.
"I was hoping for more," DeSantis said. "It's all good."
However, the sound of protesters outside could be heard from inside the press conference.
Many waited until the speakers, like Chris Ruffo, left to shout at them.
Opponents of this legislation, like Genesis Robinson, Political Director for Equal Ground, call it a step back for Florida.
"I think it's going in the troubling direction for the governor of one of the largest states in the country to sign into law legislation that limits conversations around race, privilege, and oppression," Robinson said. "I think it sends a signal to individuals from different backgrounds and walks of life that their experience does not matter. Your story does not matter."
Robinson said they plan to tackle this legislation. That includes the legal avenue.
"I think we as a community have a commitment to continue to push back against efforts like this. Obviously there are some options that can be taken via the courts, and we have seen success in the course before," he said.
Robinson also views the fight against this new legislation as something to take on from the community front as well.
"I think we owe a responsibility to our young people and to everyone who seeks to learn to have these conversations outside of the classroom, right? The classroom is not the only place that people can learn about diversity, equity, inclusion, and learn about the experiences and the contributions of black people to this country and LGBTQ people to this country. And so I think we're going to find unique ways to make sure that folks are educated," he added.
