2 JUN 2023
Businesses, Workers and Organizations in Florida and Across the Country Rally in Opposition to DeSantis-Backed Anti-Immigrant Law
Workers and businesses in Florida and across the country rose in protests called a “day without immigrants” on June 1st, as experts fear the anti-immigrant bill signed into law by Ron DeSantis “could bring Florida’s economy to halt.”
Florida – While Governor Ron DeSantis continued to campaign for president in New Hampshire, businesses, workers, and civic organizations in Florida and across the country joined pro-immigrant mobilizations on June 1. The demonstrations – collectively named a “Day Without Immigrants” – saw small business owners, immigrant workers and organizations in U.S. cities engage in peaceful protests and marches against SB 1718, a radical piece of anti-immigrant legislation recently signed into law by DeSantis. Advocates and organizations came together to underscore the economic contributions of immigrants in Florida and throughout the United States, and highlighted the destructive consequences of DeSantis’ agenda for Floridians. The June 1st actions followed a successful mobilization in Homestead, Florida last week, a protest that drew over 3,000 people to denounce SB 1718.
Over 4 million immigrants call Florida home, and over 2 million Floridians have at least one immigrant parent. As the state braces for the new legislation to take effect, and due to increasing fears among immigrant workers in the state, the state is facing work shortages and empty work sites. The law has also left employers trying to navigate an incredible amount of uncertainty with some experts fearing that the radical DeSantis law “could bring Florida’s economy to a halt.” Civil rights organizations like the NAACP and LULAC (League of United Latin American Citizens) have also issued travel bans to the state, warning about the “shadow of fear” SB1719 is causing within communities across the state.
About the new law: SB 1718 includes punishment of up to a second-degree felony for transporting any person into Florida you “reasonably” should know is undocumented, even if they are a family member. It would require that emergency rooms and all hospitals accepting Medicaid ask questions about citizenship and lawful presence in the United States on their admission or registration forms, creating a climate of intimidation and fear that will discourage patients from seeking care. It also prohibits local funding of community identification programs (such as popularly supported municipal level identification cards); creates new restrictions for small businesses to hire immigrant workers; and repeals language that allows undocumented people to practice law in Florida. The law will take effect on July 1, 2023.
List of ‘Day Without Immigrants’ Protests Scheduled Across the Country
California
Los Angeles: Placita Olvera
Santa Ana: Memorial Park
Colorado
Denver: State Capitol
Florida
Pierson: Saint Peter’s Catholic Church San Jose Mission
Jacksonville: Drew Park
Vero Beach: Riverside Park
Immokalee: Fiesta Parking Lot
Tampa: Al Lopez Park
Orlando: State Rep. Carolina Amesty’s Office
Illinois
Chicago: Union Park
Minnesota
St. Paul: State Capitol
South Carolina
Charleston: City Hall
Texas
Houston: City Hall
Fort Worth: La Gran Plaza
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