Florida Lawmakers Condemn Surge in Antisemitic Incidents Over Labor Day Weekend: ‘Hate Has No Place Here’

Over Labor Day weekend, Florida witnessed a surge in antisemitic incidents, including a neo-Nazi demonstration outside Disney World and the distribution of hateful flyers across several neighborhoods. This uptick reflects a broader trend of rising antisemitism in the United States.

Florida experienced a disturbing escalation of antisemitic incidents during the Labor Day weekend, with extremist groups disseminating hateful messages across the state. Notably, a neo-Nazi demonstration unfolded outside Walt Disney World in Orlando, coinciding with expressions of support for Florida’s Republican Governor Ron DeSantis.

Approximately 15 individuals brandishing flags bearing Nazi symbols gathered outside Walt Disney World in Orlando for approximately two hours on Saturday, as reported by the Orange County Sheriff’s Office to NBC News. Simultaneously, others displayed messaging in favor of Governor DeSantis.

This incident is not the first instance of neo-Nazi demonstrators visiting the popular entertainment resort. In June, several people waved red and black flags featuring swastikas, and at least one person held a poster featuring Governor DeSantis outside the Orlando theme park.

Additionally, numerous Florida neighborhoods were inundated with antisemitic flyers over the extended weekend. While these materials did not contain direct threats, local law enforcement agencies are conducting investigations into these extremist messages distributed at private residences.

West Melbourne City Council Member Diana Adams expressed her deep concern, stating, “It’s deeply disturbing that this type of literature was distributed in neighborhoods in our community. Because I don’t think this type of hatred has any place in our community, let alone our entire world.”

The United States has been grappling with an alarming increase in violence and hate speech targeted at Jewish communities. According to the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), a total of 3,697 antisemitic incidents were documented in 2022, marking a 36% surge compared to the record figures of 2021. This figure represents the highest number recorded since the ADL began tracking such incidents in 1979.

Florida, as per the ADL’s Annual Audit of antisemitic incidents, has witnessed a similarly troubling trend. Harassment incidents surged by 51%, from 142 in 2021 to 214 in 2022, while vandalism incidents increased by 15%, rising from 47 in 2021 to 54 in 2022. Notably, during a neo-Nazi demonstration in Orlando, three assailants assaulted a Jewish college student.

In the recent neo-Nazi demonstration outside Disney World, 15 individuals displayed various flags and signs associated with white supremacy, antisemitism, and anti-LGBTQ+ sentiments, according to the ADL. Members of different extremist groups, including the Order of the Black Sun, Aryan Freedom Network, and 14 First, were identified as participants.

On the same day, over 50 members of extremist groups, Goyim Defense League and Blood Tribe, gathered in the greater Orlando area. They waved swastika flags, performed Hitler salutes, and chanted hateful messages such as “white power” and “Jews will not replace us,” according to the ADL.

As of Monday, there has been no official response or acknowledgment of these events from Governor DeSantis’ office. Critics have previously noted that while the governor has been vocal about his support for Israel and related legislation, his office has been slower to address public displays of antisemitism.

These incidents over Labor Day weekend join a series of hateful occurrences within the state. Multiple neighborhoods in West Melbourne, Edgewater, New Smyrna Beach, and Wellington awoke to find flyers containing antisemitic and white supremacist rhetoric left at their residences. Local law enforcement agencies are actively investigating these incidents and have urged anyone with information to come forward.

Florida State Representative Lois Frankel expressed her disgust at the latest incident, emphasizing the need to speak out against bigotry and hatred.

“We must speak out against bigotry whenever we see it,” she declared in a news release. “Hate has no place here.”

In July, neo-Nazis marched outside the Turning Point USA Student Action Summit in Tampa, which featured prominent conservative figures such as Donald Trump and Governor DeSantis. Demonstrators brandished posters adorned with swastikas, Nazi flags, the Florida state flag, and posters supporting Governor DeSantis. While the event organizers disavowed the group, it was widely condemned by political leaders and organizations.

The ADL’s Center on Extremism documented over 400 instances of white supremacist propaganda being distributed in Florida from January 2020 to August 2022.

Rising Antisemitism Across the US:

Antisemitic incidents in the United States have reached historic levels. An annual study by the ADL revealed that the number of Americans harboring extensive antisemitic prejudices and beliefs in antisemitic stereotypes doubled since 2019.

In 2022, the ADL reported a staggering 36% increase in antisemitic incidents compared to the previous year, totaling 3,697 incidents. This marked the “highest number on record” since the ADL commenced tracking such incidents in 1979.

Recent studies have underscored the role of social media platforms in facilitating the proliferation of hateful messages. Algorithms and search functions on these platforms have been identified as factors promoting the dissemination and discovery of hateful content. A joint study by the ADL and Tech Transparency Project found that major.