Today legislators are voting on the anti-immigrant bill Senate Bill 1718. Representative Susan L. Valdés (D-Tampa), the Florida House Democrats’ sole Cuban-American legislator, is wearing a Cuban-American flag lapel pin upside down on the House floor to signal her distress on SB 1718—legislation that will have negative impacts on Florida’s vibrant and hardworking immigrant community.
According to the U.S. Flag Code, flying the American flag upside down is only meant to be done “as a signal of dire distress in instances of extreme danger to life or property.” The choice to wear a Cuban-American flag pin is a nod to Representative Valdés’ Cuban roots as the American-born daughter of Cuban immigrants.
“SB 1718 is an anti-immigrant bill which is cruel and is without humanity. The provisions of this bill go directly against the values of family and liberty. We as Americans must reject these attacks on communities who cannot make their voices heard” said Representative Valdés. “I will continue fighting for every single Floridian with everything I have. These attacks on family and liberty should never be tolerated.
