Politics · United States · 1 hr ago
Delray Beach cancels St. Patrick’s Day parade under Florida anti-DEI law
Delray Beach is canceling its St. Patrick’s Day festivities and withdrawing city sponsorship of June Pride celebrations.
The city in southeast Florida says it is acting because a new state law bars taxpayer money from supporting diversity initiatives and takes effect on Jan.
1.
The city lawyer warned that government-funded celebrations of culture, ethnicity or heritage that are not national holidays could violate the law.
The St. Patrick’s Day parade has been held annually since 1970 and is one of the city’s signature events.
The decision has angered residents who want the long-running celebration to continue.
Mayor Tom Carney says the city would support the parade or Pride events if private sponsors take over their funding.
Delray Beach has canceled its St. Patrick’s Day festivities, saying a new Florida anti-DEI law could prohibit government-sponsored cultural celebrations.
The law takes effect on Jan. 1 and restricts taxpayer money from going toward diversity initiatives.
The city will also withdraw its sponsorship of LGBTQ Pride celebrations in June.
Mayor Tom Carney said the city would support a private sponsor taking over either event.
Gov. Ron DeSantis accused the city of using the law to make a political point.
- Who
- The city of Delray Beach, Florida, announced the cancellations. Mayor Tom Carney discussed the decision.
- What
- The city canceled its St. Patrick’s Day festivities and said it would withdraw sponsorship of June Pride celebrations.
- When
- The announcement was made this week. The law takes effect on Jan. 1.
- Where
- Delray Beach, in southeast Florida.
- Why
- The city lawyer advised that government-sponsored cultural, ethnic or heritage celebrations could run afoul of the new anti-DEI law.
Delray Beach officials
Ron DeSantis
Reason for the cancellations
Delray Beach officials
The city says its lawyer advised that government-sponsored cultural celebrations could violate the new law.
Ron DeSantis
DeSantis accused the city of using the law to make a political point.
What should happen next
Delray Beach officials
Mayor Tom Carney said the city would support the events if private sponsors took them over.
Ron DeSantis
DeSantis characterized the city's response as “malicious compliance.
The St. Patrick’s Day parade began as an annual event.
The parade shifted from private operation to city sponsorship, according to Carney.
Delray Beach announced it was canceling the St. Patrick’s Day festivities.
The new Florida anti-DEI law is set to take effect.
The city is set to withdraw its sponsorship of LGBTQ Pride celebrations.
- Parade history
- Annual event since 1970
- Law effective date
- Jan. 1
- Mayor
- Tom Carney
- Governor
- Ron DeSantis
- Other affected event
- LGBTQ Pride celebrations in June
What people are saying
I've said it's engrained in the DNA of Delray and I do mean that. It's one of our signature events,
no place
malicious compliance
Posts on X
Delray Beach is engaging in “malicious compliance.” What they are doing is not mandated by Florida law. It’s just an attempt to make a political point — a point that legacy media will no doubt try to amplify. We’ve seen these stunts throughout the years. Rinse and repeat.