Appeals Court Upholds Ruling Blocking Florida’s “Stop Woke Act”
Federal Appeals Court Maintains Restriction on Florida’s Law
In a significant ruling, a federal appeals court has upheld a
decision preventing Florida from enforcing the “Stop Woke Act.” The
law, championed by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, attempted to
restrict diversity and inclusion training practices within private
companies. The ruling reinforces the constitutional right to freedom
of speech and expression as enshrined in the First Amendment.
Upholding the Bounds of the First Amendment
The three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th
Circuit deliberated that the “Stop Woke Act” surpasses constitutional
boundaries by targeting speech based on its content. The law aimed to
regulate workplace trainings pertaining to race, color, sex, and
national origin, but the court declared that it penalized certain
viewpoints. Upholding the earlier ruling from August 2022, the
appeals court deemed the law unconstitutional as it tramples on the
First Amendment’s principles.
Background on the “Stop Woke Act”
The “Stop Woke Act” was passed by the Republican-controlled Florida
legislature in March 2022. Governor DeSantis had prioritized this law,
previously using it as a talking point during his campaign for the
presidency in 2024. However, the law faced significant opposition from
various Florida-based companies, resulting in lawsuits filed against
the state.
Protecting Speech against Discrimination
Dubbed the “Individual Freedom Measure,” the law aimed to prohibit
workplace trainings in Florida, including public schools, colleges,
and universities, from inducing guilt or shame over the historical
actions of one’s race or sex. Violations of the law would have
constituted offenses under state anti-discrimination legislation.
Flawed Legal Intervention
Florida’s defense of the law contended that it exclusively regulated
conduct rather than speech. However, the appeals court, as articulated
in its opinion, disagreed and dismissed the claim. It argued that the
law prohibited speech on various political topics and viewpoints,
which undermined the principles of free speech.
A Win for Free Speech in the Workplace
The companies opposing the law celebrated the appeals court’s ruling
as a “major victory for free speech in the workplace.” They
emphasized that speech codes have no place in American society, and
elected officials should not censor the speech of business owners
simply due to disagreement. The decision reinforces the importance of
protecting and promoting diverse viewpoints and opinions.
