The administration of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis faces a federal lawsuit, accused of a campaign to silence abortion rights advocates ahead of a vote on Amendment 4, which would protect abortion access in the state. The lawsuit, filed by the advocacy group Floridians Protecting Freedom, claims DeSantis’s team employed “coercive threats” by warning broadcasters of criminal prosecution if they aired ads supporting Amendment 4. These ads feature Caroline, a cancer survivor whose life was prolonged by abortion care, describing her struggle as the state’s recent six-week abortion ban prevents other women from making similar medical decisions.
The administration’s pressure tactics reportedly led at least one station to pull the ad. This suit highlights accusations of “unconstitutional government interference” aimed at derailing the amendment’s momentum as early voting approaches. DeSantis’s recent establishment of an “election police” force, accused of targeting pro-Amendment 4 petitioners with accusations of fraud, further escalates tensions. Advocates argue that Florida’s threats jeopardize core political expression and could lead to attempts to challenge or subvert election results if the amendment passes.
