Federal Appeals Court Blocks Florida's Stop WOKE Act Restrictions on Campus Speech

Florida Stop WOKE Act·Latest event July 8, 2026

Jul 7

Federal Appeals Court Blocks Florida's Stop WOKE Act Restrictions on Campus Speech

A federal appeals court panel ruled against Florida's Stop WOKE Act on Tuesday. The court found that the law's restrictions on how race and gender are discussed in public universities violate the First Amendment. In a sharp critique, the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a preliminary injunction that prevents the state from enforcing these rules on college campuses. The judges described the state's attempt to control classroom speech as a breathtaking assertion of power that oversteps constitutional boundaries. The ruling specifically targets the higher education provisions of the law championed by Governor Ron DeSantis. By partially striking down the law, the court protected the rights of professors and students to engage in open academic debate. This decision sets the stage for a potential legal battle at the U.S. Supreme Court as the state defends its efforts to regulate race-related concepts in the classroom.

Florida appeals court blocks DeSantis's 'Anti-WOKE' lawDeSantis-backed 'Stop WOKE' law meets appeals court blockUS appeals court partially strikes down Florida law

News

Part of Florida's 'Stop WOKE' Law Ruled Illegal by Appeals Court

The New York TimesCenter Left

Eleventh Circuit Panel Strikes Down (by 2-1 Vote) Stop Florida University Professor Speech Restrictions

ReasonCenter Right

DeSantis-backed 'Stop WOKE' law meets appeals court block, teeing up possible Supreme Court fight

CNBCCenter

Florida appeals court blocks DeSantis's 'Anti-WOKE' law

Washington ExaminerCenter Right

US appeals court partially strikes down Florida law restricting campus race and gender discussions

The GuardianCenter Left

'Breathtaking assertion of power': Appeals court slams door on Florida 'Stop Woke' law championed by DeSantis

POLITICOCenter Left

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