02/09/2023
Sukey Wolf writes on the dangers posted by Ron De Santis, in an article for the left wing newspaper Freedom Socialist, journal of the radical feminist and socialist FSP Party in the States. Sukey states "DeSantis is nothing if not a bully. His treatment of trans folks and people of color is particularly abhorrent. He signed legislation that prevents trans children from playing on sports teams that match their gender identity. His latest law prohibits gender-affirming medical treatment for minors and for Florida trans adults on Medicaid, which denies them crucial hormone therapy. Openly attacking Black residents, he dissed basketball players as “freaks of nature,” during an interview with the Christian Broadcasting Network. His sexist, homophobic rants against drag performers are infamous. DeSantis’ treatment of immigrants is also reprehensible. In September 2022 he arranged for a private company to fly 50 immigrants out of state with promises of work and a place to live. This was a lie. They were unloaded in Martha’s Vineyard with no prospects, and far from courts that would hear their asylum cases. As DeSantis continues to bash the First Amendment, the rule of law, and human decency, resistance is mounting. Trans people are coming together, organizing themselves for mutual support. Recently they won a court injunction against his law denying gender-affirming medical care for three families with trans youth. The judge ruled the law is unconstitutional. For some, just being visible and out is a form of fighting back. Students are organizing walkouts to protest the draconian limits imposed ..... What’s needed is a united front, a coalition of all groups under attack. This is beginning to happen. The NAACP recently warned its members not to travel to Florida. Women are organizing to push back against extreme anti-abortion laws. Most importantly, these groups and many others are beginning to coordinate together. Florida’s labor unions need to join other groups in the struggle. They can provide critical backup for the movement. DeSantis is a dictator who needs to be stopped. Already his toxic and dangerous ideology has spread to other states in the shape of anti-trans legislation and attacks on academic freedom. The governor has told us this is his plan for the U.S. — to “Make America Florida.” We cannot let that happen."
