Last month, Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin claimed he would advise black athletes to not play college sports in Alabama should the legislature ban taxpayer-funded diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) departments.
On Tuesday, the legislature sent to Gov. Kay Ivey a bill prohibiting state agencies, schools and colleges from sponsoring or requiring students and employees to attend or participate in any DEI program, training, orientation or coursework that advocates for or requires assent to a divisive concept. Ivey signed the bill into law on Wednesday.
Woodfin, the self-proclaimed "biggest Bama fan," asked in a Twitter thread in February why the state would want to "make it illegal for institutions of higher learning to promote diversity and inclusion among its faculty and staff." He asked parents of minority athletes if they would be OK sending their children to schools where DEI was "discouraged."
But despite being active on his Facebook and Instagram accounts, the mayor has remained quiet on Twitter since the law's passage. The mayor also did not respond to 1819 News' request for comment on whether he would follow through with his threat.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email trent.baker@1819news.com.
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