DeSantis announced the Stop WOKE Act at a press conference, condemning Critical Race Theory and “wokeness” as “an attempt to delegitimize our history and to delegitimize our institutions.”
Critical Race Theory, which says U.S. institutions and culture are systemically racist and oppressive to racial minorities, has developed widespread dispute nationwide over its existence in the public school curriculum.
GONE TOO SOON: NYPD MOURNS FALLEN OFFICER AFTER FATAL CONFRONTATION, IS BIDEN'S AMERICA TO BLAME?
Progressive activists and Democratic politicians have claimed the academic framework is not studied in public schools despite proof and say attempts to ban it are efforts to whitewash American history and avoid teaching students about racism.
GONE TOO SOON: NYPD MOURNS FALLEN OFFICER AFTER FATAL CONFRONTATION, IS BIDEN'S AMERICA TO BLAME?
“Our legislation would defund any money from K-12 to higher ed going to CRT,” DeSantis said at the press conference.
“I view the wokeness as a form of cultural Marxism,” DeSantis continued. “They want to tear at the fabric of our society and our culture, really things we’ve taken for granted, like the ability of parents to direct the upbringing of their kids.”
RE-SHAPING THE FUTURE: TENNESSEE GOV. BILL LEE UNVEILS BOLD PLAN FOR "EDUCATION FREEDOM"
“No taxpayer dollars should be used to teach our kids to hate our country or to hate each other,” he added.
WATCH: TULSI GABBARD ADDRESSES WHO REALLY INFLUENCES POLICY, AND IT'S NOT BIDEN...
If enacted, the legislative proposal would expand on the Governor’s directive to the Florida Department of Education earlier this year that banned the inclusion of Critical Race Theory in public schools. The new law also treats businesses that require Critical Race Theory training as maintaining a “hostile work environment” under Florida law.
FIVE ARRESTED IN SOUTHERN TEXAS FOR TRAFFICKING OF MILITARY-GRADE WEAPONS TO CARTEL
“How is it not a hostile work environment to be attacking people based on their race or telling them that they’re privileged or part of oppressive systems when all they’re doing is showing up to work and trying to earn a living?” DeSantis said. “We believe that that violates the Florida Civil Rights laws, but to the extent that it doesn’t, we’re going to make sure that the law does include this."
WATCH: AOC DISPLAYING HER IGNORANCE ONCE AGAIN
DeSantis, who is running for reelection as Governor in 2022, is regarded as a potential 2024 presidential contender and often leads Republican primary polling when former President Donald Trump is not included in the list of possible candidates.
GONE TOO SOON: NYPD MOURNS FALLEN OFFICER AFTER FATAL CONFRONTATION, IS BIDEN'S AMERICA TO BLAME?
“We have a responsibility to stand for the truth, to stand for what’s right, and we’re doing that, and we’ve put more resources and emphasis on teaching civics, on teaching people about American history,” the Florida Governor said. “But we also have to protect people and protect our kids from some very pernicious ideologies that are trying to be forced upon them all across the country.”