A federal judge in Florida ruled on Thursday that a bill supported by Florida’s Republican governor, Ron DeSantis, prohibiting race discussions in the workplace and schools is unconstitutional.

In a 44-page decision, US District Judge Mark Walker stated that Florida’s Individual Freedom Act (IFA),” discriminates on the basis of viewpoint in violation of the First Amendment and is impermissibly vague in violation of the Fourteenth Amendment.”

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The law, which went into effect on July 1, is an important part of DeSantis’ fight against “woke ideology.” It was designed to prohibit workplace instruction or required activities that implicitly or explicitly favour or oppress people based on their race, colour, sex, or country of origin.

The “anti-woke” legislation was passed earlier this year by Florida’s Republican-led Legislature and supported by DeSantis. 

It expands Florida’s anti-discrimination laws to make it illegal for businesses and schools to blame or accuse students or employees based on their race or gender. It aims to teach students and employees about issues such as “white privilege” by establishing new safeguards, such as the rule that no one should be forced to “feel guilt, anguish, or any other form of psychological distress” because of their race, colour, sex, or national origin.

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The injunction was requested by two Florida-based businesses that want to require their employees to attend diversity and inclusion trainings, as well as a consultant who provides such instruction.

Walker claimed that the law violates the First Amendment because it allows the state to limit free expression.

“If Florida truly believes we live in a post-racial society, then let it make its case. But it cannot win the argument by muzzling its opponents. Because, without justification, the IFA attacks ideas, not conduct,” he stated.

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The judge also stated that the court would not grant a stay of the injunction while the state’s potential appeal is pending. 

The decision comes as part of DeSantis’ latest assault on “ideological corporate power”, as early as next week, Florida pension fund managers may be barred from considering the social impact of their financial decisions.

The decision was made in one of three lawsuits filed against the Stop Woke Act on Thursday. It was filed by private entities, including Clearwater-based Honeyfund.com, who claim the law violates their free speech rights by emphasising diversity, inclusion, bias elimination, and workplace harassment prevention. Companies with 15 or more employees may face civil lawsuits if they engage in such practises.