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Judge blocks Florida ‘woke’ law pushed by Gov. DeSantis
The Associated Press ^ | August 18, 2022 | By CURT ANDERSON

Posted on 08/18/2022 1:21:36 PM PDT by Oldeconomybuyer

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — A Florida judge on Thursday declared a Florida law championed by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis that restricts race-based conversation and analysis in business and education unconstitutional.

Tallahassee U.S. District Judge Mark Walker said in a 44-page ruling that the “Stop WOKE” act violates the First Amendment and is impermissibly vague. Walker also refused to issue a stay that would keep the law in effect during any appeal by the state.

The law targets what DeSantis has called a “pernicious” ideology exemplified by critical race theory — the idea that racism is systemic in U.S. institutions that serve to perpetuate white dominance in society.

Walker said the law, as applied to diversity, inclusion and bias training in businesses, turns the First Amendment “upside down” because the state is barring speech by prohibiting discussion of certain concepts in training programs.

“If Florida truly believes we live in a post-racial society, then let it make its case,” the judge wrote. “But it cannot win the argument by muzzling its opponents.”

The governor’s office did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment. DeSantis has repeatedly said any losses at the lower court level on his priorities are likely to be reversed by appeals courts that are generally more conservative.

(Excerpt) Read more at apnews.com ...


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections; US: Florida
KEYWORDS: activistjudge; crt; domesticterrorism; enemyaction; fl; florida; hatespeech; markewalker; markwalker; woke
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1 posted on 08/18/2022 1:21:36 PM PDT by Oldeconomybuyer
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To: Oldeconomybuyer

Judicial legislating.


2 posted on 08/18/2022 1:23:26 PM PDT by wrench
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To: Oldeconomybuyer

Is the law targeting businesses, schools or government? I can agree with not telling businesses what to do. There are other ways to attack woke businesses. However, when it comes to schools and government, they are fair game.


3 posted on 08/18/2022 1:25:20 PM PDT by ConservativeInPA (Scratch a leftist and you'll find a fascist )
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To: Oldeconomybuyer

Aethelblack appointee, with help from his AD friends.

The Senate voted to confirm Walker on December 6, 2012 in a 94–0 vote.


4 posted on 08/18/2022 1:27:57 PM PDT by decal (They won't stop, so they'll have to be stopped)
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To: Oldeconomybuyer

I’m interested to learn if the state has any power at all to regulate its curriculum? If the state wants to teach reading through phonics, but a teacher wants to use so either method, is that ok?

Of course I kid. The state has the ability to regulate what’s taught in its curriculum. Every state does it every day. This ruling will be short lived


5 posted on 08/18/2022 1:29:52 PM PDT by j.havenfarm (21 years on Free Republic, 12/10/21! More than 5000 replies and still not shutting up!)
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I expected it to have a rough road ahead.

It was the right thing to do. Something has to be done to
protect businesses, and stop their exposure to political
gamesmanship at work sites.


6 posted on 08/18/2022 1:31:28 PM PDT by DoughtyOne (I pledge allegiance the flag of the U S of A, and to the REPUBLIC for which stands.)
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To: Oldeconomybuyer

I see that he’s an Obama judge. Not that there are really such thing as Clinton Judges, Obama judges, Trump judges etc, per Chief Justice Roberts


7 posted on 08/18/2022 1:31:57 PM PDT by j.havenfarm (21 years on Free Republic, 12/10/21! More than 5000 replies and still not shutting up!)
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To: Oldeconomybuyer
... critical race theory — the idea that racism is systemic in U.S. institutions that serve to perpetuate white dominance in society.

The black, two-time U.S. President of the United States, Barack Obama, wholeheartedly agrees that racism is systemic in U.S. institutions that serve to perpetuate white dominance in society.

If only the U.S. weren't so racist, then Barack Obama might have actually stood a chance at becoming President ....................... oh wait a second ...... never mind.

And the two white men that President Obama absolutely annihilated in the 2008 & 2012 Presidential Elections -- RINO Mitt Romney & RINO John McCain -- also believe(d) that if only the U.S. weren't so racist, then Barack Obama might have actually stood a chance at becoming President ....................... oh wait a second ...... never mind (again).

Natural Conclusion: All Democrats/RINOs are mindless morons.

8 posted on 08/18/2022 1:35:12 PM PDT by gw-ington (My preferred pronouns: she, him, it, senile, sleepy, puppet, laughing, hyena, stolen, election.)
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To: Oldeconomybuyer

Funny that “U.S. District Judge Mark Walker” wasn’t preceded by “Obama appointed.” Only news articles about decisions against liberal positions make an issue of who appointed the judge (if it was a Republican President). The press secretary for Desantis should point out the double standard from the news media on court decisions too.


9 posted on 08/18/2022 1:39:00 PM PDT by Armando Guerra
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To: Oldeconomybuyer

The judge is from Leon county, right?

Liberal.

It’ll be overturned.


10 posted on 08/18/2022 1:41:08 PM PDT by Recovering_Democrat
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To: j.havenfarm
Not that there are really such thing as Clinton Judges, Obama judges, Trump judges etc, per Chief Justice Roberts

Roberts was almost right. There are leftists judges, which include all of the dem appointed ones and 75% of the GOP appointed ones. The remaining 12% are conservative. But 88% are all about the same, just a matte of degree separating them.

11 posted on 08/18/2022 1:41:50 PM PDT by pepsi_junkie (Often wrong, but never in doubt!)
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To: Recovering_Democrat

I see. Fed judge. This fed judge has zero business in Florida’s affairs.

Overturn it.


12 posted on 08/18/2022 1:43:04 PM PDT by Recovering_Democrat
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To: ConservativeInPA

This is to keep businesses, schools, etc. from using their power to impose this on employees in “training” or “retraining” sessions. Usually it’s attend, accept—- or get fired.


13 posted on 08/18/2022 1:43:24 PM PDT by livius
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To: Oldeconomybuyer

Will be appealed and this far left “judge” over ruled.


14 posted on 08/18/2022 1:47:18 PM PDT by SmokingJoe
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To: Oldeconomybuyer

Go to a Grand Jury and indict the Judge for Conspiracy to Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor, Arrest and Prosecute.


15 posted on 08/18/2022 1:48:29 PM PDT by eyeamok (founded in cynicism, wrapped in sarcasm)
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To: Oldeconomybuyer

Bowbama appointed judge! Go figure!


16 posted on 08/18/2022 1:53:23 PM PDT by Road Warrior ‘04 (BOYCOTT The NFL, MLB, NBA, NASCAR & Faux Snooze! Molon Labe! Oathkeeper! )
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To: Oldeconomybuyer

What the hell is this so called “judge” talking about. Jo Jo the Clown has done away with the First Amendment with all of their foreign fart checkers labeling everything stated by a non-commie RAT, “misinformation”.


17 posted on 08/18/2022 2:01:45 PM PDT by FlingWingFlyer (The House is supposed to represent the people, not the friggin' Federal government. )
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To: Oldeconomybuyer

Even a first year lawyer could tell them they screwed up when they wrote the law to cover BOTH business and Public Education.

Private institutions can teach whatever the hell they want.


18 posted on 08/18/2022 2:03:01 PM PDT by Mariner (War Criminal #18)
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To: Oldeconomybuyer

Government run schools have NO first amendment rights.

The teachers are free to spew their filth outside the school but not as part of their JOB.


19 posted on 08/18/2022 2:07:55 PM PDT by Skywise
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To: Oldeconomybuyer

Obama appointee - figures!

Where is the scream, “this is an attack on democracy!”, which it truly is.


20 posted on 08/18/2022 2:17:33 PM PDT by aquila48 (Do not let them make you "care" ! Guilting you is how they control you. )
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