Florida city cancels St Patrick’s Day parade and Pride 2027 under DeSantis DEI laws
Florida city cancels St Patrick’s Day parade and Pride 2027 under DeSantis DEI law setbacks. (Getty Images)
Delray Beach says Florida’s DEI restrictions forced it to cancel its annual St Patrick’s Day Parade, even as mayor Tom Carney says the city is trying to keep the 2027 event on track.
In a city statement, Delray Beach said the decision was driven by state-level rules limiting what local government can support or fund. It said the restrictions “include certain programming and activities designed or implemented with reference to ethnicity, sexual orientation, or gender identity.”
The same restrictions have also been linked to the city cancelling its 2027 Pride event.
What has Delray Beach said about the restrictions?
Carney addressed residents in a Facebook post, writing: “To all of you who live work & play in Delray, I’d like to give a positive update along with an important clarification regarding the status of the 2027 St. Patrick’s Day Parade.”
He added: “The causation of the cancellation has nothing to do with Amendment 3, but rather Senate Bill 1134.”
In the same post, Carney wrote: “SB 1134 was passed by both chambers and signed into law by Governor DeSantis. This bill puts severe restrictions on how cities can pay for community events such as the St. Patrick’s Day Parade along with potentially other city-sponsored events.”
Carney also described the parade as a fixture of local life, writing: “The St. Patrick’s Day Parade isn’t just another parade. It’s ingrained in the DNA of the Delray Beach community.”
He said he had read residents’ messages about the cancellation, before promising: “With that, I’d like to announce that the city is working feverishly with multiple entities to ensure the 2027 St. Patrick’s Day parade goes on as scheduled!”
When does SB 1134 take effect?
SB 1134 was signed by Florida governor Ron DeSantis in April and is due to take effect on 1 January.
The law has been part of a wider push in Florida to curb diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. When DeSantis signed SB 1134 in April, it was a measure that bans local governments from supporting Pride celebrations and other DEI initiatives.
