Florida students threaten to sue DeSantis over cancellation of AP African American studies

A group of three Florida high schools students are preparing a lawsuit against Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis over his refusal to implement an AP African American studies pilot program.

Earlier this month, the Florida Board of Education determined that the content in the course violated state law, which both bars the teaching of Critical Race Theory and limits the discussion of sexuality with younger students. The state pointed to the inclusion of "black queer studies" and advocacy for specific policy positions such as racial reparations.

State Commissioner of Education Manny Diaz Jr. last week contended that the course was "filled with Critical Race Theory and other obvious violations of Florida law."

Students with Florida schools, however, have raised their own concerns over the program. Civil rights attorney Benjamin Crump announced Wednesday that three students were readying a challenge to the decision.

"Will we let Governor DeSantis or anybody exterminate Black history in the classrooms across America?" he said, according to The Hill. "What this really is about is saying you cannot exterminate us. You cannot exterminate our culture and you can never exterminate the value of our children to this world."

Students Elijah Edwards, Victoria McQueen and Juliette Heckman will serve as the lead plaintiffs in a prospective lawsuit should DeSantis move forward.