TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Governor Ron DeSantis unveiled a Holocaust memorial in Tallahassee on Tuesday.
“This memorial, constructed of iron and limestone, displays the faces and names of Holocaust survivors who later made their homes in the state of Florida. The state was proud to work with Florida-based Jewish groups and Holocaust remembrance associations to gather survivors' names and pictures so that visitors to Florida’s capital can remember the impact these amazing individuals had on our communities for generations to come,” DeSantis said.
The governor also honored Holocaust survivor and longtime Florida resident David Schaecter with the Governor’s Medal of Freedom.
Schaecter spoke moments before the memorial was unveiled.
“Florida became my addiction. I’ve been here since 1957. Governor, there’s nothing like this state, and there is nothing like you,” Schaecter said.
DeSantis highlighted the state’s efforts to combat antisemitism. These measures include evacuating Americans on flights from Israel, directing the Florida Highway Patrol to protect Jewish schools and synagogues, and easing transfer requirements for out-of-state Jewish students facing discrimination following the October 7 Hamas attack.
Since taking office, DeSantis has also bolstered Holocaust education in K-12 schools.
“A teacher that is in front of students trying to minimize the Holocaust, they get a pink slip and will no longer be teaching our students,” DeSantis said.
