Florida city cancels St. Patrick’s Day parade, Pride event over state DEI law

The city of Delray Beach is not hosting its annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade or Pride event in 2027 because of a state law signed by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis banning local governments from funding diversity initiatives. 

DeSantis signed the bill in April, and it takes ​effect on January 1, 2027. The law requires grant recipients to certify ​that public ⁠funds will not be used to advance such initiatives and provides enforcement, including penalties for officials who violate the law.

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President Donald Trump signed executive orders targeting the dismantling of these initiatives and has threatened to freeze funds for ​educational organizations over ​diversity programs.

Reuters reported that Mayor Tom Carney posted on social media that the city was "working feverishly with ​multiple entities to ensure the 2027 St. Patrick's Day parade goes on as scheduled."

Delray Beach officials release statement

What they're saying:

In a statement from the city of Delray Beach, obtained by Reuters, officials said that restrictions under the law "include certain programming and activities ⁠designed or implemented with reference to ethnicity, sexual orientation, or gender ​identity."

St. Patrick's Day in March honors Ireland's patron saint and Irish heritage and Pride ​festivals celebrate LGBTQ communities.

The Source: Information for this story was provided by Reuters, which cites a statement from Delray Beach officials and a social media post from Mayor Tom Carney. This story was reported from Washington, D.C.