Breaking: Walt Disney World sues Governor DeSantis now
Disney retaliates in the courtroom after several attempts by DeSantis to control the district! Take a look and see just what happened here.
How it Started
The past year has been turbulent between the state of Florida and The Walt Disney Company. Florida passed the Parental Rights in Education Law in 2022.
The Walt Disney Company originally remained quiet surrounding this bill despite pleas from employees and fans for them to take an official stance. Tension built until then-CEO Bob Chapek denounced the bill, but many believed it was too little, too late.
The tension between the company and the state continued worsen as state Republicans repealed the Reedy Creek Improvement Act of 1967. Essentially, the law states that Disney is its own governing body in the two cities and land within Orange and Osceola counties.
Tension Builds
Just before the handover took place, Disney tried one last ditch effort to keep as much control out of the state of Florida as possible. Just recently, Disney made an agreement between the district and the parks/resorts.
This new agreement basically gives Disney most of the control of the district and prevents the new oversight board from making any changes to this agreement until 21 years after the death of the last survivor of King Charles III.
DeSantis' Reaction
At the press conference, DeSantis shared that he is planning to announce even more measures against Disney World. The first being his plans to void the contract between the Central Florida Tourism Oversight Board (previously Reedy Creek Improvement District) and Disney World regarding Disney's development rights for many, many years. Now, everything will be passed through the State Legislature.
Disney Fights Back
Today, April 26th, Daniel M. Petrocelli, a high-powered Los Angeles litigator, filed complaints on Disney's behalf in federal court. The complaint states that "A targeted campaign of government retaliation - orchestrated at every step by Governor DeSantis as punishment for Disney's protected speech - now threatens Disney's business, operations, jeopardizes its economic future in the region, and violates its constitutional rights."
Today, April 26th, Daniel M. Petrocelli, a high-powered Los Angeles litigator, filed complaints on Disney's behalf in federal court.
The complaint also states that "Disney regrets it has come to this. But having exhausted efforts to seek 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."
What do you think of this lawsuit? Will Disney win or will DeSantis come out ahead? Please share your thoughts in the comments below.
I absolute 100% agree.
There is NO BLOODY GROOMING.
DeSantis is punishing Disney for criticizing the “Don’t Say Gay” Bill. To me that’s violating Disney’s free speech rights by Government Retaliation. Disney has the highest chance of winning.
Agreed!
Well said!
There is no grooming going on at the Disney Corporation. If you want to feed into that made up drama and negativity, simply don’t go to the parks. 55 million visitors per year love it.
This rational does not merit further comment. No more Koolaide.
Grooming children to become something that they will figure out on their own is wrong.
DeSantis is trying to stop the grooming.
He isn’t saying that children will grow up to be one thing or another.
Having anyone tell a child about their sexuality is wrong.
So if a pedophile want to explain to your child, in school or anywhere, why they do what they do (and make it seem like it’s ok or shouldn’t be illegal) are you for that?
Leave the sexuality lessons for parents not teachers.
Schools have no business with teaching sexuality.
DeSantis is childish and immature. Not to mention that he is against gays and trans-gender people as well as others. It’s disgusting behavior for a grown man.
DeSantis is insane!! Who is going to rule against Mickey!
Agreed. He seems to be ruled by emotion and not by logic. He thinks this is a test of his masculinity. Can you imagine him facing up to Putin? Or Kim Jong Un? He would be reaching for that nuclear button before we could blink.
I am 100% in Disney’s corner. In the Citizens United case, the Supreme Court ruled that corporations have the same status and rights as human beings, including freedom of speech. This is the first time I’ve been glad for that decision. Disney, as a “person”, stated an opinion on a direction that State of Florida (thanks to DeSantis) is taking, and DeSantis is wreaking vengeance on Disney for exercising its free speech rights. And I think this lawsuit is justified, because DeSantis is drunk on power and acting like a toddler who has been thwarted.
DeSantis risks any chance of a Presidential campaign. This is childish and unconstitutional on his part.