For Immediate Release: August 20, 2025

President Julie Kent, Florida National Organization for Women (FL NOW)

Orlando, FL — The Florida Chapter of the National Organization for Women (FL NOW) celebrates a major victory for intellectual freedom and youth rights following Judge Carlos Mendoza’s ruling that declared key provisions of Florida’s book ban law (HB 1069) unconstitutional.

“This ruling is a resounding affirmation of our First Amendment rights and a rejection of politically motivated censorship,” said Julie Kent, FL NOW President. “Florida’s attempt to erase diverse voices—especially those of women, LGBTQ+ authors, and communities of color—was not just wrong, it was illegal.”

HB 1069 led to the removal of hundreds of books from school libraries, including Beloved, The Bluest Eye, The Handmaid’s Tale, and I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter. The law allowed books to be pulled based on vague claims of “sexual conduct,” without regard for literary or educational value. Judge Mendoza ruled that this approach violated constitutional standards, including the Miller Test for obscenity.

“FL NOW has long opposed HB 1069 as part of a broader campaign against authoritarian attacks on education, reproductive rights, and gender equity in Florida. It was negiligent and cruel to remove books related to the LGBTQ+ community. This is about more than books,” said Debbie Deland, VP FL NOW. “It’s about the right of young people to see themselves reflected in literature, to learn history honestly, and to think critically.”

We call on the Florida Department of Education and local school districts to immediately restore banned titles and halt further censorship. We also urge lawmakers to stop weaponizing parental fear and start investing in inclusive, evidence-based education. We demand an unwashed American history that includes the American history of people of color.

📚 Freedom to read is freedom to think. FL NOW will continue fighting for both.

Media Contact: Debbie Deland, vp@flnow.org, 407 234-6408

 

A federal judge has temporarily halted construction at the controversial immigration detention center in the Florida Everglades known as “Alligator Alcatraz”, citing serious environmental concerns.

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FL NATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR WOMEN STRONGLY CONDEMNS THE TONE, DEMANDS, AND ACCUSATIONS OF FL DOGE LETTER TO MAYOR DEMINGS AS INSULTING, UNDEMOCRATIC, POLITICALLY MOTIVATED, AND MEAN-SPIRITED!

An appalling letter from Florida’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings is part of a sweeping state-led audit targeting what officials call “excessive spending” in local governments. They should be focused on state spending. The July 24 letter accuses Orange County of increasing property tax collections by over $330 million and total expenditures by $1.6 billion over five years—a 57% increase.

Here’s what makes the letter particularly chilling:

• Tone and Framing: The letter frames the county’s spending as “reckless” and implies mismanagement, despite the county’s rapid population growth, amusement park, and hotel growth with the increased demand for services. The tone of the letter is authoritarian.
• Political Targeting: Orange County joins other blue-leaning areas like Broward and Gainesville in being audited, making this obviously about partisan motives behind the audits.
• Aggressive Demands: DOGE requested access to county facilities, data systems, and personnel for an on-site inspection, warning that financial penalties may accrue if the county fails to comply. They should not have access to personal information.
• Focus Areas: The audit zeroes in on spending related to DEI initiatives, environmental programs, homelessness services, and contracts over $10,000—areas often aligned with progressive governance. For example, they are looking at Orange County’s Multicultural Center.

Mayor Demings responded by urging the state to consider the county’s 81,000 new residents since 2020, which has strained public services like law enforcement and fire rescue. He emphasized that the county would cooperate but called the audit part of “mean-spirited politics”.

Julie Kent, President of FL NOW said “This is an obvious and unjustified political intrusion that undermines local governance, equity-driven policy, and the will of the people. She went on to detail her issues:

1. Defend Local Democracy

Orange County’s budget reflects the needs of our growing community. Our elected officials were chosen by voters to lead with integrity, equity, and foresight—not to be micromanaged by Tallahassee.

2. The Audit is clearly Politically Motivated

This audit isn’t about efficiency, it’s about intimidation. Targeting blue counties and cities for their progressive values is a clear attempt to undercut policies that center justice, care, and community investment. These are the values of the people that live in these areas.

3. Impact and Accountability

Orange County has welcomed over 80,000 new residents since 2020 as well as more amusement parks, hotels, housing, parking, etc. Increased spending on public safety, housing, and DEI initiatives is not excess—it’s responsibility. Orange County has nothing to hide and everything to be proud of. FL DOGE will undermine our local community governance.

4. This is Urgent

This isn’t just about one letter, it’s part of a pattern. Communities across Florida are being pressured for choosing value-driven leadership. We call on partners statewide to stand with us against punitive overreach.”

5. A Positive Vision

We envision a Florida where local voices are respected, equity is non-negotiable, and communities are empowered to build futures that reflect their values. That future begins with standing firm.”

Call to Action

• Email and call your senators and representatives to condemn this FL DOGE pre-emptive action.
• Call and email the governor close to daily.
• Share this gross overreach with family, friends, and neighbors for them to act.
• Send a support email to Mayor Demings and the City Council.
• Help to fight this with Greater Orlando NOW
• Find out if we can be part of the audit committee in some way to offer counterpoint.

Debbie Deland, VP FL NOW, said: “The FL DOGE actions are un-democratic and do not support municipalities’ self-governance. It is purely a mean-spirited political action as Mayor Demings said. The threats to our officials’ and county jobs are unacceptable. The creation of fear is wrong. We must watch closely for what they are going to cut since they are usually arbitrary. Let’s make our vehement objections loud and persistent. Let’s make our support of Mayor Demings and the whole Orange County Government as well as other counties and cities being attacked.”