Orlando, Florida – A federal appeals court in Orlando, Florida, issued a ruling on Monday affirming a decision to block the enforcement of a Florida law that aimed to restrict how companies implement diversity and inclusion training in the workplace. The law, known as the “Stop Woke Act,” was championed by Governor Ron DeSantis.
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit concluded that the “Stop Woke Act” violates the First Amendment’s protection of freedom of speech and expression by regulating discussions on race, color, sex, and national origin in the workplace. This ruling upheld a previous decision from August 2022.
Judge Britt C. Grant, in the court’s opinion, emphasized that the law infringed on free speech by targeting specific ideas deemed offensive and penalizing certain viewpoints. The “Stop Woke Act” was passed by Florida’s Republican-controlled legislature in March 2022 and was a key initiative for Governor DeSantis before he withdrew as a potential presidential candidate for 2024.
The law, also known as the “Individual Freedom Measure,” prohibits discussions in workplaces and educational institutions that may make individuals feel guilty or ashamed about historical actions based on their race or sex. Violations under this law are considered offenses under state anti-discrimination regulations.
The ruling specifically focused on the workplace-related provisions of the law, following a lawsuit filed by Florida-based companies challenging its constitutionality. Companies like Honeyfund.com and Primo argued that the law would impede their ability to conduct training sessions on important topics such as women’s advancement in business and systemic racism.
Governor DeSantis portrayed the “Stop Woke Act” as a means for employees to combat discrimination, emphasizing the importance of treating all individuals equally regardless of race. However, the court ultimately sided with the companies, stating that the law’s broad scope and restriction of various political viewpoints were unacceptable.
In response to the ruling, the group representing the companies expressed satisfaction, calling it a significant triumph for free speech in the workplace. They emphasized the importance of allowing all voices to be heard without government interference or censorship based on differing opinions.