Attorney threatens legal action over banning African American studies course

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — A famed civil rights legal professional has threatened to sue the governor if the state bans educating a controversial AP course on African American studies. At a rally and press convention contained in the state capitol, Ben Crump introduced the pending legal action on Wednesday.

“We are right here to provide discover to Gov. [Ron] DeSantis,” Crump advised the massive rotunda crowd.

He stated his workforce and three AP scholar plaintiffs would sue in federal courtroom over First Amendment considerations if the lesson stays blocked.

“College programs can’t be censored,” Crump stated. “We suppose AP programs are an extension of school programs.”

State officers allege the course has at least six violations of Florida’s Stop WOKE Act. It’s a brand new regulation forbidding educating ideas like crucial race principle and white privilege. Students concerned within the attainable litigation, nevertheless, fear Florida is making an attempt to whitewash Black historical past.

“I am unable to consider that that is 2023, and America is speaking about censoring schooling,” Elijah Edwards, one of many potential plaintiffs, stated. “This is America, not a communist nation.”

The litigation is not a assure. If the state involves an settlement and permits the course, nothing will occur. That appears attainable as AP course creators at College Board stated Tuesday the lesson is just a “pilot,” and its “official framework” is coming Feb. 1.

“If they’re capable of reconcile their competing pursuits to place this into the school rooms in Florida, I haven’t got something to sue over,” Crump’s co-counsel, Craig Whisenhunt, stated.

GOP legal consultants notice that the state already requires educating African American historical past. Attorney Trudy Smith believed the governor and state schooling division are on a strong legal footing. Smith known as the legal menace untimely.

“It’s virtually like placing the cart earlier than the horse,” Smith stated. “It’s advocating to punish one thing that we do not even know it is going to be an offense sooner or later.”

Florida’s Department of Education went additional in its brief assertion Wednesday afternoon.

“This menace is nothing greater than a meritless publicity stunt,” Florida Department of Education Communications Director Alex Lanfranconi stated.