Part of a Florida law that banned state college professors from teaching about critical race theory was temporarily blocked by a federal judge.
At a news conference, the governor of Florida reacted. The photo is courtesy of Paul and LightRocket.
The "Stop WOKE Act" was found to be a "positively dystopian" encroachment on academic freedom by limiting teachings to state approved viewpoints.
The law, which was signed in April, allows professors at public universities and public school teachers to be sued if they teach that an individual's moral character is determined by his or her race.
Walker issued an injunction in August blocking the portion of the law that prevented employers from mandating workforce training related to race.
The policy at the University of South Florida was the subject of a lawsuit filed by a professor and a student.
Forbes did not get a response from the Florida Department of Education.
Walker wrote that democracy would die in darkness if professors were not allowed to shed light on challenging ideas.
At a time when Republican legislatures around the country were taking action against critical race theory, the law was proposed and approved. Donald Trump claimed that critical race theory was a form of left wing indoctrination of American children. Republicans looked past Trump's culture war talking points and focused on Democrats for high inflation and economic problems. The high-profile GOP candidates who made Trump's views central to their campaigns, especially his false claims of widespread fraud in the 2020 election, did not perform as well as Republicans who did not.
In last week's election, the Democratic challenger, Charlie Crist, was defeated by the Republican candidate, Ron DeSantis. Though he has not said whether or not he is running for president, DeSantis is now the favorite in betting odds to win the Republican nomination and face off against Trump in the general election.
The Stop W.O.K.E. Act is designed to stop parents from taking legal action over critical race theory in schools.
Bill Banning Critical Race Theory was the subject of a walkout by Mississippi senators.
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