A Florida city canceled its annual St. Patrick’s Day Paradeafter a new state law banning government-funded “DEI” initiatives took effect â as outraged residents railed against the “ridiculous” measure.
Delray Beach officials said the new state legislation severely restricts the city from holding either the beloved St. Patrick’s Day Parade or its Pride event when the calendar flips to 2027.
The much-maligned announcement comes ahead of the Jan. 1 date when the new legislation, SB 1134, takes effect statewide.
The law passed by both chambers in the State House and signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis in April, prohibits county and municipal governments from “funding or promoting or taking official action as it relates to diversity, equity, and inclusion.”
Restrictions from the legislation also hinder cities from holding events celebrating heritage and ethnicity.
Florida officials caught violating the new law will be declared to have committed misfeasance or malfeasance in office and are subject to suspension, administrative discipline or removal from office by the governor, according to the state constitution.
“Following a review of the legislation and its requirements, the City has determined that it is legally prohibited from organizing, funding, or promoting these events in 2027,” city officials announced Tuesday.
“These restrictions include certain programming and activities designed or implemented with reference to ethnicity, sexual orientation, or gender identity.”
Delray Beach residents cried out over the decision, questioning the reasoning behind the cancelations and expressing concerns about what it could do to the local economy.
âDisappointed? Ridiculous. You know, it’s just â are they going to cancel the Christmas parade as well? So, there’s a lot of issues going on here and it’s weird,â Delray Beach resident Randy Biro fumed to WPBF.
âMiddle of the season, it’ll bring business to the avenue. And it’s good and it’s fun. And itâll probably bring, I guess, 50-60,000 people here,â police volunteer Kenny Moskowitz told the outlet. âIt’s ridiculous. Why would they cancel it? It’s just, it’s beyond anything we can imagine.”
Delray Beach Mayor Tom Carney joined in the frustration from residents over the parade cancelations but revealed the city couldn’t do much because of the state law.
“The St. Patrickâs Day Parade isnât just another parade. Itâs engrained in the DNA of the Delray Beach community,” Mayor Tom Carney wrote on Facebook Tuesday.
Carney said the city is working “feverishly” with several groups to still hold the beloved parade but did not provide additional details.
“For those who live, work & play in Delray, we want the Delray Beach St. Patrickâs Day parade to stay!” he added.
Carney alluded to additional city-led events being canceled because of the new law.
“This bill puts severe restrictions on how cities can pay for community events such as the St. Patrickâs Day Parade along with potentially other city-sponsored events,” he said.
SB 1134 does not prohibit the celebration of certain holidays if they are recognized by federal law, including Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday, Presidents’ Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Columbus Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas.
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