Disney Sues Florida Governor Ron DeSantis
Disney filed a lawsuit in Tallahassee on Wednesday after Gov. Ron DeSantis’s takeover of its theme park district, citing the government waged a “targeted campaign of government retaliation” after the company opposed the “Don’t Say Gay” law.
The Disney lawsuit was filed only a few minutes after DeSantis’s appointed board to oversee Disney World voted to void a deal that gave the company authority over design and construction decisions on its properties in Orlando.
In the case, it states, “… having exhausted efforts to see a resolution, the Company is left with no choice but to file this lawsuit to protect its cast members, guests, and local development partners from a relentless campaign to weaponize government power against Disney in retaliation for expressing a political viewpoint unpopular with certain State officials.”
The feud between DeSantis and Disney started last year after Disney opposed a state law that bans classroom lessons on sexual orientation and gender identity in early grades, a policy that critics called “Don’t Say Gay.”
Soon after, DeSantis took over Disney World’s self-governing district and appointed a new board of supervisors that would oversee municipal services in the theme parks. But before the new board came in, the company was able to strip the new supervisors of much of their authority thanks in part to an 11th-hour agreement.
DeSantis spokeswoman Taryn Fenske said she is unaware of any legal right that a company has to operate its own government or maintain special privileges not held by other businesses in the state. “This lawsuit is yet another unfortunate example of their hope to undermine the will of the Florida voters and operate outside the bounds of the law.”
The Disney lawsuit asks a federal judge to void the governor’s takeover of the theme park district as well as the DeSantis oversight board’s actions, on the grounds that they were violations of the company’s free speech rights.
The interwebs and Disney fans are having a little fun with a few memes, including the one below. Disney has made a few missteps, such as donating money to sponsors of the “Don’t Say Gay” bill, but we’re curious to see how this turns out.
