Gov. Ron DeSantis says the state will appeal — possibly all the way up to the U.S. Supreme Court — and predicted Florida will “be vindicated” after a federal Judge knocked down part of Florida’s law restricting books in school libraries.
“It’s pretty clear we’re in front of a Judge who is not going to give us a fair shake on this. We’re already prepared,” DeSantis said, accusing U.S. District Judge Carlos Mendoza of being an activist Judge. “That’s really political when they’re just trying to override the policies that we’ve enacted through the normal legislative process.”
DeSantis was asked about the state’s steps during a press conference where officials also announced their lawsuit targeting two textbook companies.
DeSantis complained, saying, “They always find some Judge to do something at some point. And you know, more often than not, we get it rectified on appeal.”
Last week, Mendoza ruled that provisions in a 2023 law banning pornographic books are too broad and violate the First Amendment.
A group of publishing company giants, several best-selling young adult authors and two parents filed a federal lawsuit last year in U.S. District Court’s Orlando division. They argued that many classic books are being taken off school shelves and taken out of context.
Mendoza agreed with them.
“Many non-obscene books have been removed from public school libraries to the dismay of students that deeply identify with these books,” Mendoza wrote in his order.
Dan Novack, a vice president and associate general counsel for Penguin Random House, called the ruling a “knock out victory” and will give momentum to students, teachers and parents fighting censorship.
DeSantis fought back Tuesday, arguing that Florida’s law should remain and is rightfully keeping inappropriate material off the shelves.
“Taxpayers are funding these schools. We have the right through elected officials to empower parents to have a say in this, and to make sure that the materials align with standards,” DeSantis said at his press conference.
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