Governor LeRoy Collins signed into law an anti-discriminatory advertising bill passed by the State Legislature earlier this year, putting an end to religious discrimination in resort advertising.
The new law prohibits hotels and resorts from advertising that a prospective guest “is not welcome, or is objectionable or is not acceptable because of his religion.” Violators are guilty of a misdemeanor, subject to a fine of $500 and a 90-day prison term. The need for such legislation was expressed by the Anti-Defamation League of B’nai Brith, following a 1953 survey conducted by its Miami office, which showed a widespread use of anti-Jewish phraseology in tourist advertising throughout the state.
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The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
