Greg PakMar 2, 2023
Not to be an alarmist, but this is terrifying. https://www.wfla.com/news/politics/florida-bill-would-require-bloggers-who-write-about-governor-to-register-with-the-state/
Florida bill would require bloggers who write about governor to register with the state

Florida Sen. Jason Brodeur (R-Lake Mary) wants bloggers who write about Gov. Ron DeSantis, Attorney General Ashley Moody, and other members of the Florida executive cabinet or legislature to register with the state or face fines.

WFLA
Show threadJenXMar 3, 2023
@gregpak We are facing a firehose of civil rights violations. Where is the civil rights division of DOJ?? Why isn’t our federal government sounding the alarm on this? This is indeed terrifying. They won’t stop until they are stopped.
Show threadLouis Ingenthron

@JenX @gregpak Don't need it. federal district courts have already shut down several other unconstitutional laws DeSantis & the FLGOP have passed. The system is still working as it should.

https://www.npr.org/2022/11/18/1137836712/college-university-florida-woke-desantis-1984

Mar 3, 2023 at 2:42pmWeb
Show threadJenXMar 3, 2023
@LouisIngenthron @gregpak It’s on appeal to the 11th circuit. In the meantime, real people are being harmed. https://wusfnews.wusf.usf.edu/education/2023-01-13/florida-cleared-violating-court-order-stop-woke-act
Florida is cleared of violating a court order over the 'Stop WOKE Act'

A federal judge sided with the DeSantis administration after plaintiffs said it did not comply with a preliminary injunction preventing enforcement.

WUSF
Show threadLouis IngenthronMar 3, 2023

@JenX The wheels of justice grind slowly. 🤷‍♂️

I was just answering your question about why others weren't dealing with this. Because it's not their job. It's the courts' job and the courts are working on it.

It takes time to dig through the GOP's horseshit to thoroughly repudiate it and shut it down completely.

Show threadJenXMar 3, 2023
@LouisIngenthron So what in your opinion is the job of the DOJ civil rights division?
Show threadLouis IngenthronMar 3, 2023
@JenX Based on the Civil Rights Act of 1957 that established it, it's to ensure that everyone has fair and equal access to the ballot.
Show threadJenXMar 3, 2023
@LouisIngenthron It’s a bit more than that. “The Civil Rights Division enforces federal laws that protect you from discrimination based on your race, color, national origin, disability status, sex, religion, familial status, or loss of other constitutional rights.” https://civilrights.justice.gov/
Contact the Civil Rights Division | Department of Justice

Have you or someone you know experienced unlawful discrimination? The Civil Rights Division may be able to help. Civil rights laws can protect you from unlawful discrimination, harassment, or abuse in a variety of settings like housing, the workplace, school, voting, businesses, healthcare, public spaces, and more.

Show threadLouis IngenthronMar 3, 2023

@JenX Yes, they "enforce federal laws". They don't challenge state laws.

The most the DOJ could do is sue the state that enacted the law, and that's already been done by private individuals who have a much stronger claim to action.

Show threadJenXMar 3, 2023
@LouisIngenthron I guess we can agree to disagree. There is nothing to stop DOJ from enforcing Federal laws when state governments violate them. They can and have done so- recently with Greg Abbott’s Operation Lone Star, with equal access in education violations, etc. Just because there are private individuals suing the state it doesn’t mean DOJ should be passive in its obligations. There are many cases where intimidation and money prevent victims from seeking justice on their own.