DELRAY BEACH, FLORIDA — Delray Beach has canceled its long-running St. Patrick’s Day parade and withdrawn city sponsorship of Pride celebrations, saying Florida’s new anti-DEI law could prohibit taxpayer support for cultural and heritage events.
The St. Patrick’s Day parade has been held in the city since 1970 and is one of Delray Beach’s signature annual events.
Florida’s SB 1134, signed by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis, takes effect Jan. 1. It prohibits counties and municipalities from spending public funds or taking official actions to promote diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. Violations can expose local officials to findings of misfeasance or malfeasance, and residents may sue local governments over alleged violations.
Delray Beach Mayor Tom Carney, a Republican of Irish descent, said the city attorney concluded celebrations centered on ethnicity, culture or heritage could fall within the law unless they involve recognized national holidays.
DeSantis strongly disputes that interpretation, accusing Delray Beach officials of “malicious compliance” intended to make a political point. He said the cancellations are not required by state law.
Carney said the city is simply attempting to avoid legal exposure and acknowledged that the governor and city attorney interpret the statute differently.
The parade and Pride events could still survive through private sponsorship. Carney said the city would support community groups taking them over without taxpayer funding.
The dispute illustrates the uncertainty created by the law’s broad restrictions: even supporters of DeSantis are now disagreeing over exactly which local cultural celebrations it prohibits.
Sources:
- NPR – MBFC Rating
- Florida Senate – SB 1134 – Government Primary Source
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