On Monday, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed a proclamation declaring November 7 as the first annual Victims of Communism Day in the state.
“Victims of Communism Day is an opportunity for students of all ages and Floridians of all backgrounds to learn about the dangers posed by socialism around the world and here at home, as well to reflect upon the blessings of liberty afforded to ourselves and our posterity as a result of the American traditions of limited government and individual freedom,” a news release from DeSantis’ office states.
Florida is home to approximately 1.3 million Cubans who fled the Castro family’s communist regime in Cuba for the Sunshine State.
“At a time when Marxism, socialism, and communism are actively promoted by prominent politicians and pop-culture figures in our own country, it is more important than ever to teach Florida’s school children about the horrific history of Communist countries and to provide them with opportunities to hear from individuals who suffered under the rule of Communist dictators,” Governor DeSantis said in a statement.
In May, DeSantis signed House Bill (HB) 395 into law, declaring November 7 as the first annual Victims of Communism Day, as previously reported by The Florida Capital Star.
Today, I established November 7th as Victims of Communism Day to honor those who have suffered under communism and remind people of the destruction communism has caused worldwide, including a death toll exceeding 100 million.
In Florida, we will tell the truth about communism. pic.twitter.com/Ojlao8f46t
— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) May 9, 2022
The bill also requires high school students to “receive at least 45 minutes of instruction in their required United States Government class on topics related to communist regimes and how victims suffered at the hands of these regimes,” beginning in the 2023-2024 school year.
“It is imperative that every single student in Florida learns of the atrocities committed in the name of Communism so that it never has a place here in America.” -Commissioner @SenMannyDiazJr
Read more about Victims of Communism Day: https://t.co/v3v0tClXhf pic.twitter.com/nSi3Tsh1Gp
— Florida Department of Education (@EducationFL) November 7, 2022
At the time, DeSantis also signed Senate Bill (SB) 160 that creates 26 road designations throughout the state, including three which will honor Cubans who fought the Castro regime.
Additionally, DeSantis launched an initiative to record video testimonials of Floridians who suffered under communist regimes.
“We will continue to tell your stories and fight to preserve freedom and prosperity,” DeSantis tweeted Monday.
Today, on Florida’s first Victims of Communism Day, we honor the 100 million people who have lost their lives at the hands of communist regimes.
We will continue to tell your stories and fight to preserve freedom and prosperity. pic.twitter.com/N9z6Qvfsl6
— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) November 7, 2022
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Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Florida Capital Star and The Star News Network.
Photo “Honoring Victims of Communism” by Ron DeSantis.
