The state of Florida, in particular, has been in headlines because of Governor Ron DeSantis (R-FL) and his continuing meteoric rise on the national political stage. But while millions of Americans may agree with what Gov. DeSantis has been saying and doing in Florida, not everybody here is so fond of the governor, especially State Senator Shevrin Jones (D-35) who accused DeSantis of using "racist dog whistles."
Senator Jones, who just this week called his Republican colleague Rep. Anthony Sabatini a white supremacist, categorized DeSantis' recent Fox News interview as "pathetic" and stated that Florida didn't need any more "Racist dog whistles."
Jones has been very vocal on the passage of the controversial HB 1 in Florida, and with the Chauvin murder trial.
Jones took issue with remarks that DeSantis made during a TV interview he gave with Fox News' Laura Ingraham Tuesday night.
“Quite frankly it’s pathetic that Governor DeSantis spends his time doubling down on his disingenuous attack on basic civil rights and human dignity on Fox News," stated Sen. Jones. " Peaceful protest is an outlet for change in this country, and yesterday’s verdict in the Chauvin murder trial is an important step towards accountability and action when it comes to transforming public safety so that every American, regardless of skin color, can not just survive, but thrive."
Many Democrats, like Jones, fear that HB 1 violates first amendment rights, and the Senator has already claimed he will still take it to the "Streets" and run the risk of getting arrested, even with the new law intact.
Jones believes that like DeSantis' policies, his rhetoric doesn't help, categorizing him as a divisive character, claiming that the governor just fans the flames of division."
“The last thing Floridians need is more racist dog whistles, yet the Governor has shown time and again that he would rather fan the flames of division with dangerous rhetoric than prioritize the real issues Floridians care about: getting people back to work, helping small businesses keep their doors open, and keeping ALL communities healthy and safe, so everyone can return to some form of normal post-pandemic. There’s no denying that we have a long way to go, and I will always speak out and up for the people," concluded Jones
