Earlier this week, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R) signed a bill that established November 7 as the “Victims of Communism Day” when Florida will honor the hundreds of millions “who suffered under communist regimes across the world.”
“Honoring the people that have fallen victim to communist regimes and teaching our students about those atrocities is the best way to ensure that history does not repeat itself,” said DeSantis in a statement. “Through HB 395 and the funding announced today, we are guaranteeing that the history of those who fled communist regimes and their experiences are preserved and not forgotten by our students. While it’s fashionable in some circles to whitewash the history of communism, Florida will stand for truth and remain as a beachhead for freedom.”
DeSantis also tweeted that “In Florida, we will tell the truth about communism.”
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
Approximately 1.3 million Cubans live in Florida and found a home in the Sunshine State as a refuge from the communist regime of the Castro family in Cuba. Florida Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nuñez (R), who is of Cuban heritage, also touted the signing of the bill.
“Thank you, Governor DeSantis, for your continued leadership and to the Legislature for providing this critical funding for Miami’s Freedom Tower and designating November 7th as Victims of Communism Day,” said Nuñez. “House Bill 395 educates this generation of children and future generations about the ideology, history, and horrors of communism so that freedom will always remain alive in the Sunshine State.”
Also, a part of the legislation will be 26 road designations throughout Florida, including three which will honor Cubans who fought the Castro regime. Nuñez noted she was proud to be a part of the remembrance of the freedom fighters.
I applaud @GovRonDeSantis for signing Senate Bill 160, which makes 26 road designations across Florida, including three brave Cubans who fought against the Castro regime.
These street designations represent all those who fought for freedom in their native homeland. pic.twitter.com/1snJKZS7gi
— Jeanette Nuñez (@LtGovNunez) May 10, 2022
One of the final provisions of the bill will require Florida’s public school students to learn about the destructive nature of communism around the world on November 7.
The remembrance effort from DeSantis and Nuñez is more indication that the GOP is attracting more and more Hispanic voters to conservative causes. Cubans have historically voted for the Republican Party, most notably represented by Florida’s senior senator Marco Rubio (R), who is of Cuban descent. However, Venezuelans and other nationalities in the Hispanic voting bloc are looking more and more conservative.
Florida Democrats have been reeling to try and retain Hispanic voters, most notably by opposing the President Joe Biden (D) administration’s attempt to remove FARC from the list of foreign terrorist organizations. FARC is a Colombian revolutionary guard that has backed the Marxist regime.
“For those concerned about the disinformation problem harming Democrats’ chances with Hispanics, this is a Defcon1 moment,” said Miami-based Democratic pollster Fernand Amandi to NBC. “We should worry.”
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Grant Holcomb is a reporter at The Florida Capital Star and The Star News Network. Follow Grant on Twitter and direct message tips.
Photo “Ron DeSantis Signs Senate Bill 160” by Jeanette Nuñez.
