Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings says the community embraces diversity, equality, and inclusion.
The statement came in response to another organization, the NAACP, now urging people not to travel to Florida.
Demings tweeted Monday that “Hate is not welcome here” and invited the NAACP to work with him in reassuring the organization that Orange County welcomes all people.
"Our community values diversity and embraces inclusion. Hate is never welcome here," Demings tweeted. "We look forward to working with the NAACP to reassure them and others that Orange County is a caring, compassionate, and welcoming community."
Over the weekend, the NAACP issued a travel advisory for Florida warning potential tourists that recent Florida laws are “openly hostile toward African Americans, people of color, and LGBTQ+ individuals.”
Previously, the League of United Latin American Citizens and Equality Florida also issued similar advisories.
The NAACP's travel advisory comes a week after Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill into law that bans the state's public colleges and universities from spending money on diversity, equity, and inclusion programs.
Demings' tweet followed Tampa Mayor Jane Crastor’s Sunday tweet, where she offered assurances to anyone and everyone with plans to visit or move to Tampa.
"As Mayor of Tampa, I can absolutely assure anyone and everyone considering a visit or move to Tampa that they will be welcomed with open arms," Castor tweeted. "Diversity and inclusion are central to what makes Tampa one of America's greatest and friendliest cities. That will never change, regardless of what happens in Tallahassee."
