Set to help students withstand indoctrination in colleges, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill requiring the education of “dangers and evils of communism” in Florida public schools Wednesday.
In addition to creating a museum on the history of communism and an institute within Miami Dade College, Senate Bill 1264 creates new standards on existing communism history instruction guidelines.
Instructional topics will include the history of communism in the United States, atrocities committed in foreign countries under communism, comparative discussion of political ideologies and the increasing threat of communism in the United States and its allies through the 20th century, as defined in the bill’s text. The bill also seeks to guide instruction based on the input of people and organizations who were negatively affected by communism.
“It is vitally important that every student learns about the dangers of Communism,” said Florida Education Commissioner Manny Diaz, Jr. in a press release Wednesday. “I know firsthand the evils that Communism brings, and I am proud to stand by Governor DeSantis as he signs this legislation to ensure Florida remains the bastion of freedom.”
Signing the bill at a press conference in Hialeah, which is 74% Cuban, Desantis referenced the 1961 Bay of Pigs invasion, a failed invasion supported by the CIA that occurred 63 before the date of the press conference. The press conference was held at Assault Brigade 2506 Honorary Museum, which honors participating members of the invasion.
Regarding the communism history museum, the bill mandates for the Florida Department of State to coordinate with the Florida Department of Education to submit a proposal to lawmakers to create a museum on the history of communism by Dec. 1.
Establishing the Institute for Freedom in the Americas at Miami Dade College, the bill tasks the institute with preserving the ideals of a free society and promoting democracy in the Americas, as stated in the bill text.
“The truth will set us free,” DeSantis said. “We will not allow our students to live in ignorance, nor be indoctrinated by Communist apologists in schools. To the contrary, we will ensure students in Florida are taught the truth about the evils and dangers of Communism.”
Changes will take effect in the 2026-2027 school year.
Contact Diego Perdomo at dperdomo@alligator.org. Follow him on X @diegoperdomoaq.
Diego Perdomo is a third-year journalism major and the Spring 2024 Data Reporter. He previously worked as the graphic design editor and a graphic designer. Outside of his studies, he is trying to find hobbies outside of work.
