Three Florida High School Students Threaten to Sue Gov. DeSantis and the State of Florida Over Ban on AP African American History Course

Three Florida high school students are threatening to sue Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and the state of Florida over a recently announced statewide ban on a new Advanced Placement course on African American history. The threatened legal action was announced Wednesday by famed civil rights lawyer Benjamin Crump on behalf of the AP honors students who accuse the state and its Republican governor of censoring public education while heavily favoring white history over Black.

During the announcement in Tallahassee, Crump was joined by three AP honors high school students. He warned Gov. DeSantis that he could face a lawsuit if he does not negotiate with the College Board to allow the AP African American studies to be taught in classrooms across the state of Florida.

“We’re here to give notice to Gov. DeSantis that if he does not negotiate with the College Board, to allow AP African American studies to be taught in the classrooms across the state of Florida, that these three young people will be the lead plaintiffs in a historic lawsuit,” Crump said.

The students allege that the state is blocking the course while allowing other Advanced Placement courses such as AP European History, AP U.S. History and AP World History, which are predominantly focused on white history.

The students are hoping that their lawsuit will force the state to reverse its decision and allow the AP African American studies course to be taught in Florida high schools. It is unclear at this time when the lawsuit will be filed or what the outcome will be.