Florida Officials Recognize ‘Victims of Communism Day’
HIALEAH GARDENS (FLV) – Florida leaders recognized Nov. 7 as “Victims of Communism Day” to honor the hundreds of millions of people who have suffered under communist regimes across the world.
In May, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed House Bill (HB) 395, establishing Nov. 7 as “Victims of Communism Day.” Starting in the 2023-2024 school year, high school students enrolled in the United States Government Class would be required to receive at least 45 minutes of instruction on “Victims of Communism Day.”
They would learn about the evils that Cuba’s Fidel Castro, Russia’s Lenin and Joseph Stalin, Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro, Cambodia’s Pol Pot and China’s Mao Zedong unleashed on the world, forcing victims to suffer suppression of speech, poverty, starvation, migration and systemic lethal violence.
Nov. 7 is the anniversary of the day in 1917 when Vladimir Lenin stormed the Russian capital to overthrow the government. It ignited a worldwide movement.
“Honoring the people that have fallen victim to communist regimes and teaching our students about those atrocities is the best way to ensure that history does not repeat itself,” DeSantis said in May. “We are guaranteeing that the history of those who fled communist regimes and their experiences are preserved and not forgotten by our students. While it’s fashionable in some circles to whitewash the history of communism, Florida will stand for truth and remain as a beachhead for freedom.”
Florida Education Commissioner Manny Diaz attended Hialeah Gardens High School with Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nuñez for Victims of Communism event held at the school.
“Those from Cuba, South America, or Eastern Europe have plenty of criticisms to offer on communism — and since November 7th is now ‘Victims of Communism Day’ in Florida, the willfully ignorant will have a harder time keeping up this ruse,” Gov. Ron DeSantis’ Press Secretary Bryan Griffin tweeted Sunday.
Florida just joined a growing list of states who take note of Nov. 7. Memorializing the day started with Virginia, which recognized it in 2018 legislation. Now Florida is the latest on a list that includes Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Idaho, Illinois, Missouri, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas and Utah.
“Thanks to the leadership of Gov. Ron DeSantis, HB 395 established Nov. 7 as Victims of Communism Day. Today we remember the hundreds of millions of people who have suffered under Communist regimes. We remain committed to preventing these atrocities from ever happening in America.” The Florida Department of Education said in a tweet this morning.
