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Florida Gov Ron DeSantis signs bill requiring history of communism to be taught in lower grades. What you need to know

Florida governor Ron DeSantis on Wednesday, April 17, signed a bill requiring history of communism to be taught in lower grades

Published on: Apr 19, 2024, 09:12:53 IST
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Florida governor Ron DeSantis on Wednesday, April 17, signed a bill that would require history of communism to be taught in schools in lower grades. It was the 63rd anniversary of the Bay of Pigs invasion being launched by the United States. That was, however, a failed attempt at overthrowing Fidel Castro's dictatorship in Cuba.

Ron DeSantis signed a bill requiring history of communism to be taught in lower grades (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer, File) (AP)
Ron DeSantis signed a bill requiring history of communism to be taught in lower grades (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer, File) (AP)

"We know that the Bay of Pigs was launched because the island of Cuba had succumb to communist tyranny," DeSantis said at a press conference at the Hialeah Gardens Museum, according to US Today. The museum was made to honour the efforts of the Bay of Pigs' Assault Brigade 2506.

"We're going to tell the truth about communism in the state of Florida. We're going to tell the truth about the evils of communism,” DeSantis added.

What does the bill do?

According to DeSantis’ website, the bill (SB 1264), “adds to existing Communist history standards with instruction on the history of Communism in the United States and the tactics of Communist movements.” Further, with the help of the bill, the Institute for Freedom in the Americas at Miami Dade College will be able promote the importance of economic and individual freedoms, especially in the Caribbean and Latin America.

Reportedly, the institute is set to partner with the Adam Smith Center for Economic Freedom at Florida International University. The website adds that the bill also allows the Florida Department of State, along with the Florida Department of Education, "to recommend to the Legislature the creation of a Florida-based museum on the history of Communism.” It will also help students learn to withstand indoctrination on Communism at educational institutions.

“The truth will set us free,” said DeSantis on his website. “We will not allow our students to live in ignorance, nor be indoctrinated by Communist apologists in schools. To the contrary, we will ensure students in Florida are taught the truth about the evils and dangers of Communism.”

  • Sumanti Sen
    ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    Sumanti Sen

    Sumanti Sen covers everything that’s happening in the US, from politics to entertainment, but her expertise lies in covering crime news. She has comprehensively chronicled the Idaho student murders, the Laken Riley and Iryna Zarutska cases, and the killing of Charlie Kirk, among other incidents. Over the years, she has interviewed several victims/families of victims of crimes seeking justice. She digs up stories that might otherwise remain unheard, and does her bit to ensure that victims and survivors’ voices are heard. Sumanti’s many years of experience also include interviews with Hamas attack survivors and mental health experts, among others. Her coverage of the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel and interviews with survivors of the tragedy, coupled with her other works including the Titan submersible coverage, earned her the Digi Journo of the Quarter award during her first year at Hindustan Times. Sumanti actively tracks missing person cases in the United States, and peruses Reddit and other social media platforms to bring to light cases that frequently elude public attention. She has extensively covered the disappearances of Nancy Guthrie, Thomas Medlin, Beau Mann, and Sudiksha Konanki, among others. When not at work, you will either find her with her novels, or with her beloved rescue pooches.Read More