Delray Beach says Florida’s new anti-DEI law means the city can’t put on its St. Patrick’s Day parade or its Pride festival in 2027. Gov. Ron DeSantis says that’s nonsense. “What they are doing is not mandated by Florida law,” he posted, calling it “malicious compliance” and “an attempt to make a political point,” NBC News reported.
The parade is a South Florida tradition that goes back to 1968, and the city and its fire department have run it since 2019. So who’s right? We read the law.
What does Florida’s SB 1134 actually say?
The law, which takes effect Jan. 1, 2027, bars cities and counties from funding or promoting “diversity, equity, and inclusion,” according to the bill text. The definition is broad. It covers any effort to “promote or adopt training, programming, or activities designed or implemented with reference to race, color, sex, ethnicity, gender identity, or sexual orientation.”
There are exemptions. Cities can still recognize holidays designated by federal law, state holidays and special observances under state law, and patriotic observances. And they can keep “issuing event permits in a content-neutral manner and providing public safety services.” St. Patrick’s Day isn’t a federal holiday, and the city says it doesn’t qualify for an exemption.
Why did Delray Beach cancel the parade and Pride festival?
Look at the penalties and the city’s caution makes sense. Under the law, a city official who violates it “commits misfeasance or malfeasance in office.” Any resident can sue the city in circuit court for an injunction, damages and costs. A parade celebrating Irish heritage is arguably “designed or implemented with reference to” ethnicity, and Pride is plainly tied to sexual orientation.
“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,” the city said. Commissioner Judy Mollica said the city acted on its attorney’s advice, not out of malice. DeSantis’s office didn’t explain which part of the law it reads differently; a spokesperson just forwarded his post.
Will the St. Patrick’s Day parade still happen?
Maybe, with private money. The law doesn’t stop private groups from holding these events, and the city can still issue permits and provide police. Mayor Tom Carney, a Republican of Irish descent, says the city is “working feverishly with multiple entities to ensure the 2027 St. Patrick’s Day parade goes on as scheduled.” He told CBS12 he’d also support a privately funded Pride festival.
As of Friday no sponsor had committed to either event. Private organizers would have to cover costs cities usually absorb, like security and cleanup. “It’s a huge expense,” said Rand Hoch of the Palm Beach County Human Rights Council. For more on how Florida’s politics shifted this month, see our look at how close Florida came to flipping.
The BeezLoop Take
DeSantis wants it both ways. His law threatens local officials with malfeasance charges and lawsuits for funding anything “designed with reference to” ethnicity, then he mocks a city attorney for reading those words literally. If the governor thinks a St. Patrick’s Day parade is fine, the fix is easy: say so in writing, or have the Legislature add it to the exemptions.
Delray Beach could have handled the rollout better, and announcing both cancellations at once all but guaranteed a political fight. But when a law is this vague and the penalties are this personal, caution is the rational choice.
The open question: will Tallahassee clarify the law before Jan. 1, or will every Florida city have to guess which of its traditions are now illegal?
Sources: Florida SB 1134 (enrolled bill text) · CBS12 · NBC News · WKMG News 6 (video)
