The city of Delray Beach in Palm Beach County says it will not hold a St. Patrick’s Day parade or a Pride event in 2027. It cited SB 1134, a new state law that limits local governments’ funding of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) events.
According to a city statement, attorneys reviewed SB 1134 and concluded that the city cannot organize, fund, sponsor or promote the parade or the annual Pride event in 2027. City officials stress that the decision is not a budget matter or a local policy choice, but a result of the need to comply with state law.
The city explains that St. Patrick’s Day is not a federal holiday, so the parade does not qualify for an exception. According to NPR, the city attorney told the mayor that municipal celebrations of culture, ethnicity or heritage that are not national holidays could violate the new rules. The parade had been held for nearly 60 years.
Gov. Ron DeSantis signed SB 1134 in April. The law restricts local governments’ funding, promotion and official activities in the area of DEI. According to NewsNation, the law bars counties, municipalities, public contractors and grant recipients from spending taxpayer money on events celebrating “ethnicity.” It takes effect in January.
DeSantis disagrees with the city’s interpretation. In a post on X, he accused Delray Beach officials of “malicious compliance” with the law and claimed the rules do not require the parade to be canceled. According to The Washington Post, he called the whole affair a “stunt.”
The decision has drawn objections from residents. Mayor Tom Carney wrote on Facebook that the city is working intensively with many parties to bring the parade back. According to a notice on the parade’s website, the parade can take place if it is neither funded nor organized by the city, but by private entities or individuals. If a private sponsor takes over the parade or the June Pride celebration, the city said it would gladly hand over organization and support the events’ continuation.
Source: WLRN
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Source: Słoneczne Radio
