The Walt Disney Co. filed a lawsuit in federal court on Wednesday against Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and other state officials alleging a «targeted campaign of government retaliation,» according to a statement from the entertainment giant.
Disney and DeSantis have been embroiled in a dispute over Disney World’s home-government privileges in the Orlando area, which the governor and potential Republican presidential nominee have threatened to revoke. The corporation is the largest employer in the state.
The power struggle began when Disney, under then-CEO Bob Chapek, criticized the Florida government by a state education law that opponents have dubbed the «Don’t Say Gay» bill. DeSantis signed the bill into law in March 2022.
Disney’s lawsuit dramatically escalates the fight. The company alleges that the retaliatory campaign was «orchestrated at every turn by Governor DeSantis as punishment for Disney’s protected speech» and «now threatens Disney’s business operations, jeopardizes its economic future in the region, and violates its rights.» constitutional».
«Disney regrets that it has come to this,» the company said in the first section of the lawsuit. «But having exhausted efforts to seek a resolution, the company is left with no choice but to bring 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 policy». point of view unpopular with certain state officials».
The corporation announced it had filed a lawsuit shortly after a DeSantis-appointed local board of government passed a resolution Wednesday to void an agreement that allowed the Walt Disney World theme park and resort to retain control of much of its business operations in Florida.
“Disney was openly and legally granted a unique and special privilege, the privilege of running its own local government,” Alan Lawson, a former Florida Supreme Court justice whose firm was retained by the board, said during the board meeting. designated by DeSantis. «That era is ending.»
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