NAACP suggests travel advisory for Louisiana in light of recent legislative policies

The Louisiana State Conference of the NAACP has made an official request to the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) for a national travel advisory to be issued for the state.

According to the official statement, this is in response to “a disconcerting trend of policies and actions taken by Republican legislators in the State of Louisiana that target and marginalize specific groups within the population, including African Americans, members of the LGBTQIA2S+ community, immigrants, and those who exercise their right to free speech.”

The current climate of fear and intimidation is the result of Republican legislators’ recent activities, which have been a flagrant, unrelenting, and systemic attack on democracy and civil rights, reported WAFB News. Policies that discriminate against African Americans and other minority groups show a lack of respect for their rights and wellbeing, according to the release.

Several proposals that could have a chilling effect on African Americans, the LGBTQIA2S+ community, and other oppressed groups were introduced in the Louisiana Legislature in 2023. In light of this legislative atmosphere, the statement calls on Governor John Bel Edwards to veto any or all of these bills if they pass the Louisiana legislature.

The need for this advisory is further emphasized by the recent decision to stop the investigation into the death of Louisiana driver Ronald Greene and the alleged cover-up. The current state of affairs raises concerns over the assurance of public safety, particularly for African Americans and individuals traveling to Louisiana.

The NAACP recommends citizens use great caution when traveling to or inside the State of Louisiana in light of these developments, especially African Americans, people of color, and members of the LGBTQIA2S+ community. The state may not value diversity, equity, and inclusion and may have discriminatory laws or policies that disproportionately harm vulnerable people. Visitors should be aware of this.

It also urges people in Louisiana to participate in lobbying campaigns in opposition to the conservative lawmakers there. The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People believes that by working together, we can safeguard our democracy and civil rights.

“We encourage Louisiana residents to join us in our advocacy campaigns against the regressive laws that Republican legislators are enacting,” the statement read. “We can amplify our voices to protect our democracy and civil rights when we stand together.”

An exhaustive list of the Louisiana legislature’s potentially harmful bills is included in the appendix.

For the African American community:

HB 70: Modifies the current statute to limit the possibility of sentence reduction and eligibility for parole for offenders convicted for the fourth or subsequent time of a nonviolent felony charge.

HB 464: Increases the minimum sentence for a felon in possession of a gun from five years to ten years.

HB 646: Establishes a procedure for the yearly canvass of voters.

SB 23: makes the Secretary of State the sole person with authority over alternate early voting locations.

SB 46: Requires textbooks and other educational materials to be reviewed.

SB 54: Abolishes rules governing when police officers can make arrests for specific felonies and misdemeanors.

SB 130: If POST certified at the time of retirement, it is legal for former law enforcement personnel and retired elected law enforcement department chiefs to carry concealed weapons.

SB 159: Under certain conditions, seventeen-year-olds (17) may be detained and tried as adults.

For the LGBTQIA2S+ community:

HB 466: “Don’t Say LGBTQ+,” prohibits kids and teachers from establishing and supplying safe, inclusive schools throughout the state. This will further stigmatize LGBTQ+ people and isolate LGBTQ+ children by prohibiting teachers from discussing LGBTQ+ problems or people. By prohibiting the teaching of sexual orientation or gender identity during any extracurricular academic, athletic, or social activities in grades K–12, HB 466 silences educators. It also forbids teachers and other presenters from discussing their gender identity or sexual orientation.

HB 648: The Gender Affirming Care Ban, prohibits medical professionals from giving age-appropriate, best-practice care to transgender kids under the age of 18. The American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Medical Association, and other major medical associations all promote gender-affirming care, which is contrary to this measure because it saves lives.

HB 81: Pronoun Restriction: Permits forcible outing and deliberate misgendering of transgender and non-binary pupils in schools.

Summary

Limiting the ability to alter gender information on IDs and records, undermining nondiscrimination legislation, restricting free speech and expression, prohibiting affirming care for trans youth, and obstructing access to medically essential health care are all examples of how state legislatures are undermining LGBTQIA2S+ rights. As a result, transgender people may be discriminated against in the workplace and subjected to harassment, points out the statement.

“Recognizing the unlikely event of all the proposed legislative measures gaining favorable passage through the Louisiana Legislature, we are nonetheless extending a crucial preemptive plea to Governor John Bel Edwards,” the statement continued. In an effort to protect his entire citizenry and tourists visiting the state, we vehemently request that he employ his authority to veto any or all of these pieces of legislation that succeed in obtaining endorsement from the Louisiana legislature.”

Evie Blanco is a journalist with nearly a decade of experience born in the Dominican Republic and raised in Queens, New York. She is extremely well-versed in hip-hop music and culture and is always aware of its developments. Whether it’s the latest in pop culture, a fascinating foreign destination, a truly amazing new restaurant, or breaking news, she loves to write about it all. Evie can be reached at evieblanco@detourxp.com.