1 of 2 | Walt Disney Parks and Resorts sued Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis in federal court Wednesday, alleging a "relentless campaign to weaponize government power" against the company in retaliation for speaking out against Florida's so-called "don't say gay" legislation. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI |
License Photo
April 26 (UPI) -- Walt Disney Parks and Resorts sued Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday, alleging unconstitutional political retaliation against the entertainment giant after it publicly disagreed with Florida's so-called "don't say gay" legislation.
Disney said it had no choice but to sue after exhausting other efforts at a resolution to defend against "a relentless campaign to weaponize government power against Disney in retaliation for expressing a political viewpoint unpopular with certain state officials."
Disney's suit says DeSantis used the power of state government against the company after Disney expressed disagreement over a new law, popularly known as "don't say gay," that prohibits public-school discussions about LGBTQ+ topics.
"A targeted campaign of government retaliation -- orchestrated at every level by Gov. DeSantis as punishment for Disney's protected speech -- now threatens Disney's business operations, jeopardizes its economic future and violates its constitutional rights," said the Disney suit, filed in U.S. District Court in Northern Florida.
Officially known as the Parental Rights in Education Act, the law took effect in July. At first, it banned discussing sexual orientation or identity in the classroom in primary grade levels, but last week the state Board of Education expanded it to all grades.
Disney issued a statement soon after DeSantis signed the legislation, saying its goal is to have the law repealed by the state legislature or struck down by the courts.
"We are dedicated to standing up for the rights and safety of LGBTQ+ members of the Disney family, as well as the LGBTQ+ community in Florida and across the country," Disney said.
Disney's lawsuit said DeSantis has made it clear that he plans to escalate punitive actions against Disney for expressing political free speech.
The suit alleges that, at DeSantis' bidding, a state oversight board "has purported to 'void'" agreed-upon development contracts that had the foundation for "billions of Disney investment dollars and thousands of jobs."
In February, DeSantis signed a bill removing Disney World's power to govern itself, handing the responsibility for the Reedy Creek Improvement District to the state, under a new board appointed by the governor.
But before the move took place, the old board transferred development and governing powers to Disney. DeSantis has asked the state's inspector general to investigate.
Disney's lawsuit also raises recent comments from DeSantis about plans to examine other items, like taxes on hotels, highway tolls and developing some of the property Disney owns with more amusement parks. He raised the idea of putting a prison next to Walt Disney World in Central Florida.
Disney is one of Florida's largest taxpayers, with more than $1.1 billion paid in state taxes last year. It employs 75,000 people.
DeSantis' office released a statement condemning the lawsuit Wednesday.
"We are unaware of any legal right that a company has to operate its own government or maintain special privileges not held by other businesses or the state," said DeSantis' communications director Taryn Fenske.
"The 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," Fenske continued.
DeSantis is expected to seek the GOP nomination for president in 2024.
