“This is nothing more than a stunt," a DeSantis spokesperson said when asked about the NAACP advisory on Monday while touting the state’s robust tourism numbers as evidence of DeSantis’ success.
NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson said in a weekend statement that DeSantis’ policies, legislation, and rhetoric are a clear and present danger to African Americans.
"Let me be clear - failing to teach an accurate representation of the horrors and inequalities that Black Americans have faced and continue to face is a disservice to students and a dereliction of duty to all," Johnson said.
"Under the leadership of Governor Desantis, the State of Florida has become hostile to Black Americans and in direct conflict with the democratic ideals that our union was founded upon. He should know that democracy will prevail because its defenders are prepared to stand up and fight. We're not backing down, and we encourage our allies to join us in the battle for the soul of our nation."
Johnson said DeSantis and his fellow Republicans are openly hostile not just to African Americans but also to LGBTQ+ people and other people of color.
“Before traveling to Florida, please understand that the state of Florida devalues and marginalizes the contributions of and the challenges faced by African Americans and other communities of color," he said.
Earlier this year, DeSantis called the idea of travel warnings a joke, ridiculous, and “a stunt, a pure stunt,” echoing his spokesperson’s comments Monday.
US media reported that the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) warned people if they visited the Sunshine State because of the governor’s treatment of immigrants. In a statement, Domingo Garcia, LULA's president, characterized Florida as being a "dangerous, hostile environment for law-abiding Americans and immigrants."