Activists from the human rights organization Dream Defenders have been arrested after occupying the office of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis in protest against the expansion of the state’s Don’t Say Gay law. The law prohibits “classroom instruction on sexual orientation or gender identity” for pupils up until the eighth grade, and has now been expanded to include older students.
The protesters were arrested after refusing to leave the governor’s office, with social media clips showing activists sitting on the floor. The group occupied DeSantis’ office to secure a meeting with the governor to “share the impact the legislative session has had on communities.”
Breaking: @Dreamdefenders and allies in Florida are occupying Ron DeSantis office right now! pic.twitter.com/DAQ2qWYjxW
— Nelini Stamp 🐺🐜 (@NelStamp) May 3, 2023
The Dream Defenders were joined by “allies” from Equality Florida, Florida Rising, and other organizations. Jamil Davis, Florida state organizing manager of Black Voters Matter, stated that the protesters’ action was not based on a “singular issue,” but was in opposition to several bills passed during the legislative session, including an expansion of Don’t Say Gay, restrictions on abortion, and proposed legislation targeting drag shows.
“We need him [DeSantis] to care for the people and not a cultural agenda to win his way to the presidency,” Davis said.
10 years ago, Dream Defenders occupied the Florida Capitol in response to the murder of Trayvon Martin. Today, organizers from all across Florida joined them for their “Can’t Ban Us” action, occupying Ron DeSantis’ office in opposition to his fascist agenda pic.twitter.com/E8qLFMEkGr
— girlgenius. (@SlimJosa) May 4, 2023
CJ Staples, a Dream Defenders organizer who was reportedly arrested, stated in a press release, “We’re also sending a message to the country that politicians that seek to dismantle what’s left of our democracy are not welcome here and will be met with resistance everywhere, and we hope to help develop the organizations necessary to accomplish that.”
The Don’t Say Gay law has been criticized for its discriminatory impact on LGBTQ+ students. Sarah Warbelow, legal director of the Human Rights Campaign, stated, “Denying transgender people the ability to access the bathroom consistent with their gender identity is part of a pernicious, degrading, and systematic attempt to dehumanize one of our most marginalized communities.”
Florida lawmakers passed two anti-LGBTQ+ bills yesterday — a discriminatory bathroom bill and expansion of the state’s “Don’t Say LGBTQ+” law.
— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) May 4, 2023
Every one of these bills only makes Florida a more unwelcoming, unsafe space for our community.
Transgender children, especially, are faced with heightened levels of anxiety, depression, and dysphoria when they are denied the chance to live consistent with their identity. Florida legislators should focus on real issues impacting Floridians instead of where transgender people go to the bathroom.”
The Dream Defenders are calling for the repeal of the Don’t Say Gay law and the enactment of measures that protect the rights of LGBTQ+ people. The arrest of the protesters has drawn attention to the urgent need for the protection of LGBTQ+ rights and the need for lawmakers to prioritize the well-being of all their constituents.
As the Dream Defenders stated in their press release, “We are occupying DeSantis’s office to demand that he come face the people of Florida who he is attacking to fuel his presidential aspirations.” The fight for LGBTQ+ rights in Florida and beyond continues.
