Tell DeSantis: Veto Bill Criminalizing Free Speech

Most recent signers:

The message:

The government should never have the power to politically target people or organizations for their First Amendment-protected beliefs, advocacy, or community work. But Florida lawmakers have advanced dangerous and vague legislation that would do just that – and it is now headed to Governor DeSantis. If signed into law, House Bill 1471 (HB 1471) would threaten First Amendment freedoms and due process for people across our state.

This undemocratic legislation would allow a small number of state officials to "designate" nonprofit organizations – including religious, charitable, and social justice groups – as "domestic terrorists" without prior notice, meaningful oversight, or basic due process protections.

This is a recipe for injustice.

No matter where Floridians fall on the ideological spectrum, everyone's rights could be at risk. That's because HB 1471 also purports to expand criminal liability and civil penalties for people accused of associating with, working for, or "promoting" a designated group – even when they are engaged in constitutionally protected speech and advocacy. With language this vague, this bill would invite arbitrary enforcement and political retaliation.

Florida already has laws to investigate and prosecute actual criminal wrongdoing. This legislation is unnecessary, invites abuse, and doesn't make Floridians safer. The most oppressive chapters of our history show what happens when government invokes sweeping "security" powers: they are used to target disfavored communities, political opponents of those in power, and movements for social change.

Currently, we are witnessing high-level federal officials make public statements that mislabel victims of government abuse as "domestic terrorists." Empowering state officials with a law that authorizes them to designate organizations invites wrongful targeting, entrenches these abuses, and is gravely harmful.

This bill threaten our freedom of speech, belief, and association – rights that are core to our democracy. We must act now.

Tell DeSantis: Veto HB 1471 and stop this dangerous attempt to expand government power.

Send your message below and urge DeSantis to protect Floridians' constitutional rights.

The recipient:

Governor DeSantis

The message:

This is a recipe for injustice.

This bill threaten our freedom of speech, belief, and association – rights that are core to our democracy. We must act now.

Tell DeSantis: Veto HB 1471 and stop this dangerous attempt to expand government power.

Send your message below and urge DeSantis to protect Floridians' constitutional rights.

The recipient:

Governor DeSantis

[The Form Label field is hidden on ACLU message action forms]

Your Message

Subject Veto HB 1471 – Protect Floridians' Constitutional Rights

I am writing to urge you to veto HB 1471. This bill poses a serious threat to Floridians' constitutional rights – our freedoms of speech, belief, and association, as well as our right to due process.

This legislation would allow a small number of government officials to designate organizations as "domestic terrorists" without clear standards, meaningful oversight, or adequate due process protections. This kind of sweeping authority invites abuse and political targeting – no matter who is in power.

Florida already has the tools it needs to investigate and prosecute actual criminal wrongdoing. HB 1471 is unnecessary, invites bad-faith and unconstitutional enforcement, and doesn't make Floridians safer. Its vague language could be weaponized against nonprofit organizations, advocacy groups, religious institutions, students, and everyday Floridians engaged in First Amendment-protected activities.

Message Body

I urge you to stand up for the Constitution and the rights of all Floridians by vetoing HB 1471.

Sincerely,

[First Name] [Last Name]

Your Information

All data you enter here will be shared with the message recipient along with your message, per our privacy statement.

Salutation *

(required by some officials)

ABOUT HONORIFIC TITLES

Many public officials use "web mail forms" that this system will send your message to, so you don't have to visit their web sites to communicate with them. The systems that some of these officials use requires that the honorific field be used (Mr., Mrs., Miss, etc.).

Unfortunately, we do not have control of which honorific titles are presented as options. We must adhere to what the officials are using in order for your message to be delivered.

Alternate salutation

Most elected officials’ constituent email systems accept a very limited set of salutations. Please select the one you would most prefer.

First name *

Last name *

E-mail address *

Address *

Address line 2

City *

State *

Zip code *

Phone *

Show my name in a list of action takers.

Sign me up for ACLU emails so I can stay informed and take action to protect people's rights.

I agree to receive calls and texts (including automated recurring text messages) from the ACLU and its state affiliates at the number I provided above about ways to take action and support the ACLU organizations. Message & Data Rates May Apply. Text STOP to quit. Privacy Statement

Leave this field blank

Tell DeSantis: Veto Bill Criminalizing Free Speech

Most recent signers:

The message:

The recipient:

The message:

The recipient:

Recent participants