A federal judge Thursday cleared the way for a lawsuit, which alleges racial discrimination in the funding and management of Florida A&M University,
A federal judge on Thursday cleared the way for a lawsuit, which alleges racial discrimination in the funding and management of Florida A&M University, the state’s only public historical Black university, to proceed against Gov. Ron DeSantis and education officials.
U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle rejected a motion to dismiss by Attorney General Ashley Moody and gave six FAMU students 30 days to amend their complaint to provide more data in support of their allegations.
The students are represented by Miami civil rights attorney Josh Dubin and the New York firm of Grant & Eisenhofer. They allege the underfunding is an example of “de jure” segregation, a vestige of racism rooted in state policies that existed before the passage of the 1964 Civil Rights Act.
The suit was filed in September and names DeSantis, the state university system Board of Governors, Chancellor Ray Rodrigues, Education Commissioner Manny Diaz Jr., and the State Board of Education as defendants.
Background: Six FAMU students file federal lawsuit alleging Florida systematically underfunds university
The plaintiffs are four undergraduates and two postgraduates who highlight a series of decisions, they said shows a pattern of discrimination against the Tallahassee school.
In court documents, their attorneys argue a funding disparity prevents the school from offering high-demand programs to attract students and faculty and also to properly maintain the campus.
“The importance of this case not only resides in the disparity of the money, but just in understanding that history is repeating itself and it’s affecting us now,” said Nyabi Stevens, a junior psychology major from Fort Lauderdale, about how today’s policies are rooted in the pre-Civil Rights era.
“The only way to change the ways of the past and influence the future is by doing this work. We’re here doing what we need to do as students and as representatives of African Americans across the nation, “said Stevens.
Rattlers sports: FAMU baseball on ‘cloud nine’ as team departs to Gainesville for third NCAA Tournament
Get ready, FAMU sneakerheads! New LeBron James shoes in Rattlers colors dropping soon
More FAMU news: Former FAMU educator, philanthropist Anne Gayles-Felton celebrating 100th birthday at gala
The state, however, argues Stevens and the others are suing the wrong people and institutions.
