John,
The NAACP just issued a travel advisory for Florida in response to the “active hostility” toward Black people. This decision came just days after Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis promoted a fundraiser for the legal defense of Daniel Penny, the man who pinned Jordan Neely in a fatal chokehold on a New York subway earlier this month. It also came around one month after the Florida Department of Education (FLDOE) voted to expand the “Don’t Say Gay” bill and launched an investigation on a fifth-grade teacher who showed an animated Disney movie that featured an openly gay character. Needless to say, Florida officials have launched an all-out attack on Black and LGBTQ+ people’s lives and histories. As Gov. DeSantis prepares to announce his 2024 presidential TONIGHT with endorsements from politicians from Texas and other states, it remains clear that Florida is not alone in its anti-diversity efforts.
With anti-Black attacks escalating in Florida and around the country, we must join the millions of Black folks who call Florida home in taking action. That’s why Color Of Change is deepening its efforts to hold corporate enablers accountable for allowing the FLDOE and other elected officials to jeopardize the lives of Black people. Will you join us?
yes, i will sign the #nopridebans petition.
The FLDOE has dozens of business partners, none of which have publicly condemned — or even acknowledged — the department’s anti-Black and -LGBTQ+ policies, including GEICO. But with more than 16 million customers nationwide, GEICO is one of the largest insurance companies in the country and arguably one of the FLDOE’s most influential business partners. It’s clear that GEICO has a moral obligation to act. John, here’s what Color Of Change is asking GEICO to do:
- Issue a public statement condemning the recent expansion of the “Don’t Say Gay” law.
- Send a letter to the Florida Department of Education and its board demanding a rollback of all anti-LGBTQ+ and anti-Black school board policies, including book bans.
- Sever ties with the Florida Department of Education and its board until all demands are met.
A win for Black and LGBTQ+ Floridians is a win for us all. If GEICO lends its voice to this moment and pressures the FLDOE to roll back its anti-diversity policies, then we will have the momentum needed to pressure elected officials and bodies at all levels of government to do the same.
TAKE ACTION TO DEFEND BLACK HISTORY & DEMAND #NOPRIDEBANS!
Until Justice Is Real,
The Color Of Change Team
References:
- Greg Sargent and Paul Waldman, “DeSantis celebration of vigilantism is a new low in MAGA extremism,” The Washington Post, May 16, 2023, https://act.colorofchange.org/go/396249?t=8&akid=56924%2E4731121%2EH1zP28.
- Anthony Izaguirre and Brendan Farrington, “Florida expands ‘Don’t Say Gay’; House OKs anti-LGBTQ+ bills,” AP News, April 19, 2023, https://act.colorofchange.org/go/396084?t=10&akid=56924%2E4731121%2EH1zP28; Elizabeth Wolfe, “Florida teacher under investigation for showing Disney movie with gay character says she didn’t know LGBTQ restriction applied to her class,” CNN US, May 16, 2023, https://act.colorofchange.org/go/396250?t=12&akid=56924%2E4731121%2EH1zP28.
- Aaron Navarro, “Rep. Chip Roy endorses Ron DeSantis for president though DeSantis is not yet running,” CBS News, March 15, 2023, https://act.colorofchange.org/go/396251?t=14&akid=56924%2E4731121%2EH1zP28; Brian Bushard, “DeSantis launching presidential run Wednesday in event with Elon Musk,” Forbes, May 23, 2023, https://act.colorofchange.org/go/396252?t=16&akid=56924%2E4731121%2EH1zP28
- “Career & Technical Education: Business Partners,” Florida Department of Education, (n.d.), https://act.colorofchange.org/go/396085?t=18&akid=56924%2E4731121%2EH1zP28.
Color Of Change is building a movement to elevate the voices of Black folks and our allies, and win real social and political change. Please help keep our movement strong.
