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Delray Beach cancels St. Patrick's Day parade and Pride celebration over Florida anti-DEI law

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Summary

  • Delray Beach, Florida, canceled its nearly 60-year-old St. Patrick's Day parade and will withdraw sponsorship of its June Pride celebration.
  • The city acted to comply with Senate Bill 1134, an anti-DEI law backed by Gov. Ron DeSantis that takes effect January 1, 2027.
  • The law bars counties, municipalities, public contractors, and grantees from using taxpayer money for events celebrating ethnicity.
  • The city lawyer warned that government-sponsored celebrations of culture or heritage that are not national holidays could violate the law.
  • Mayor Tom Carney says the city is working with private partners to keep the 2027 St. Patrick's Day parade alive.
  • Residents have sent the city angry emails, calls, and social media messages since the cancellation was announced.

Reactions

  • Gov. Ron DeSantis wrote on X that Delray Beach is engaging in malicious compliance and making a political point not required by Florida law.
  • Mayor Tom Carney says the city is merely trying to stay out of legal trouble and hopes private sponsors will take over the events.
  • Carney posted on Facebook that officials are working with outside partners to keep the St. Patrick's Day parade on in 2027.
  • Carney said the community's angry response was a call to action and the parade should continue if privately funded.
  • The city posted on its website that it is legally prohibited from organizing, funding, or promoting the events in 2027, but private entities may sponsor them.
  • DeSantis's office gave no immediate answer on whether the city had misinterpreted the new law.

Timeline newest first

  1. Delray Beach Mayor Tom Carney says the city canceled the parade to stay out of legal trouble, and Ron DeSantis accused the city of malicious compliance on X.
  2. Delray Beach officials say they have been inundated with angry emails, calls, and social media messages from constituents over the canceled St. Patrick's Day parade.
  3. Delray Beach says it cannot host its 2027 St. Patrick's Day parade because of Senate Bill 1134, and Ron DeSantis accuses officials of malicious compliance in an X post.
  4. Delray Beach Mayor Tom Carney says in a Facebook post that officials are working with outside partners to keep the St. Patrick's Day parade alive.
  5. Delray Beach announced it was canceling its 60-year-old St. Patrick's Day parade and its annual Pride celebration after reviewing Senate Bill 1134, which takes effect January 1, 2027.
  6. Mayor Tom Carney posted on Facebook that the city is working with multiple entities to ensure the 2027 St. Patrick's Day parade goes on as scheduled.

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