A liberal group based out of New York is upset about a new Alabama law that requires state and local governments to use the name “Gulf of America” in place of “Gulf of Mexico” for all official purposes.
PEN America, an organization that describes itself as standing “at the intersection of literature and human rights to protect free expression in the United States and worldwide,” is criticizing the law as a violation of free speech.
“Alabama is violating basic principles of free speech and free press enshrined in the US Constitution,” said Jonathan Friedman, Sy Syms Managing Director, U.S. Free Expression Programs. “Placing a gag order on what educators and journalists can say disrupts educators’ ability to prepare students of all ages to engage in an increasingly globalized world, as well as citizens’ rights to reliable, accurate, and trustworthy information. Journalists should be free to report on facts, and students should be free to learn about them, without fear of government censorship and retaliation.”
The law also requires taxpayer funded public radio stations to comply, which has caused pushback from Will Dahlberg, executive director and general manager of WBHM.
“Journalistic independence is foundational to a news organization,” Dahlberg said in a letter. “It’s a key part of how we maintain your trust. This law threatens that independence. It also puts us at odds with our partners at NPR, the Associated Press, and others who will continue to use ‘Gulf of Mexico.’”
The Legislature passed the bill earlier this year. The legislation, sponsored by State Rep. David Standridge (R-Hayden), follows a January executive order from President Trump directing federal agencies to adopt the new name. Florida and Louisiana have passed similar legislation.
PEN America believes this is just the state going along with Trump’s ideological agenda.
“This law continues the pattern of state and federal governments weaponizing public education and political power to suit the President’s ideological agenda,” Friedman continued. “And the impact will not only be felt in newsrooms, classrooms, and lecture halls, but also in the everyday lives of Alabamians whose state government is normalizing the erosion of their free speech rights.”
Despite the criticism, most political leaders in the state are supportive of the change.
“President Trump is right—the Gulf of America is a beautiful name, and I’m proud to represent the Alabama Gulf Coast in Congress and support this overdue change,” U.S. Rep. Barry Moore (R-Enterprise) said about the idea last year. “The Gulf of America is home to the great Port of Mobile, one of the most important ports in our nation, that drives our economy and connects America to the rest of the world. Mexico has allowed millions of illegal immigrants and deadly drugs to flood across our borders, showing no respect for our sovereignty. It’s time we reclaim our Gulf, secure our borders, and put America first!”
Yaffee is a contributing writer to Yellowhammer News and hosts “The Yaffee Program” weekdays 9-11 a.m. on WVNN. You can follow him on X @Yaffee
