TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Reverend Al Sharpton, a renown civil rights leader, spearheaded a protest in Tallahassee on Wednesday after Gov. Ron DeSantis rejected a proposed African American studies course in Florida classrooms.

What You Need To Know

  • Rev. Al Sharpton led a protest in Tallahassee on Wednesday after Gov. Ron DeSantis rejected a proposed African American studies course

  • The course, Florida leaders alternatively contend, violates state law and contains unnecessary idealogical themes — like gender intersectionality and queer theory

  • Speaking to a crowd well into the hundreds, Sharpton described the ban as a gut punch against minority communities

Led by Sharpton, faith leaders and lawmakers, hundreds of rally-goers marched through Tallahassee streets and demonstrated outside the Florida Capitol for nearly three hours. They chanted and waved banners along the way, calling for the end of DeSantis’ leadership.

“Hey hey, ho ho, Ron DeSantis has to go,” rally-goers exclaimed throughout the half-mile march.

The Wednesday rally is the latest provocation between the rising Republican governor and Black lawmakers, who interpret the ban as an attempt to rethink Black history.

The course, Florida leaders alternatively contend, violates state law and contains unnecessary ideological themes — like gender intersectionality and queer theory. 

DeSantis on Monday escalated the dust-up, saying he is reconsidering Florida’s relationship with the class developer — the College Board. DeSantis further maintains the ban is justified and lawful, describing the course as little more than a political agenda.

He and proponents of the ban note Black history is required in Florida classrooms, just not of this variety.

“It wasn't just people like me saying that,” DeSantis said. “Across the political spectrum, people were saying that--this really is junk. Why don’t we just do and teach the things that matter? Why is it always that someone has to try to jam their agenda down our throats?”

Speaking to a crowd well into the hundreds, Sharpton described the ban as a gut punch against minority communities. He further warned that such bans, if not challenged immediately in Florida, may spread to other states. 

“What we’re trying to do is make sure that Florida does’t set a national standard,” Sharpton said.

Sharpton described the move as a politically and racially charged ploy, designed to elevate DeSantis’ national profile. The Republican Governor, he acknowledged, is widely considered a 2024 presidential contender. Sharpton frequently referred to DeSantis as “Baby Trump.”

“I don’t know what he is personally,” Sharpton said. “But I know what he is proposing is racist. And if you do racist things, some folk can accuse you of that. Now, I don’t call him a name, I’m just calling his game. It’s a racist game.”

Faith leaders and lawmakers stood alongside Sharpton throughout the rally. St. Petersburg Democratic Rep. Michele Rayner lambasted the Governor’s ban in a speech, saying Democratic lawmakers and the public must continue resisting the administration’s agenda.

“We have seen a concerted assault on black folks and brown folks and queer folks and latin folks,” said Rayner, a gay lawmaker. “As I’ve said previously, the governor on Monday will praise Dr. Martin King but on Wednesday refuse to tell his story.”

Rayner’s remarks echo the sentiments of the College Board, which last week released a statement saying it holds “deep regret” for not immediately resisting the Governor’s “slander. 

“Our failure to raise our voice betrayed Black scholars everywhere and those who have long toiled to build this remarkable field,” the group wrote.

18-year-old Jayland Johnson, of Tallahassee, is among the demonstrators who attended the rally. 

An entrepreneur and small business owner, he says he took the day off to grab the Governor’s attention and meet Sharpton.

He marched alongside colleagues and stood near Sharpton during the speeches, holding a banner that reads “Save Our History! Equity! Diversity! Inclusion!”

“Just to see him walk behind us, I think that gets everybody in the country motivated to support our cause.”

The 2023 Legislative Session begins March 7. Republican leadership is proposing several legislative items on education, including a universal school voucher.