ACLU files lawsuit challenging Florida's 'Stop WOKE Act'

The ACLU, the ACLU of Florida, the Legal Defense Fund and a national law firm filed a lawsuit Thursday challenging Florida's "Stop WOKE Act," which restricts

The ACLU, the ACLU of Florida, the Legal Defense Fund and a national law firm filed a lawsuit Thursday challenging Florida's "Stop WOKE Act," which restricts how race, gender and inequality are discussed in schools, colleges and workplaces.

The complaint, filed in federal court, names the Florida Board of Governors of the State University System and the commissioner of the Florida State Board of Education as defendants.

Renee Fargason, a spokeswoman for the Florida Board of Governors of the State University System, said she could not comment on pending litigation. Cassie Palelis, a Florida department of education spokesperson, said Friday: "We do not comment on matters pertaining to pending litigation."

It also names as defendants the boards of trustees at several public universities within the university system. They have made no public comment on the lawsuit. DeSantis' communications office did not immediately return a request for comment.

The complaint charges that the "Stop WOKE Act" is racially motivated censorship enacted by the Florida Legislature to stifle widespread demands to discuss, study and address systemic inequalities, following the nationwide protests that provoked discussions about race and racism in the aftermath of the 2020 killings of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and George Floyd.

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/aclu-files-lawsuit-challenging-floridas-stop-woke-act-rcna43597

---