The company and Ron DeSantis have been engaged in a war of words since Disney openly criticized a state law last year that banned classroom discussion of sexuality and gender identity.
Posted BY: | NwoReport
Disney has filed a lawsuit in a bid to stop Florida Governor Ron DeSantis exerting control over the company's theme parks in Orlando.
The row stems from a Republican backlash last year after Disney openly criticized a state law banning classroom discussion of sexuality and gender identity in schools.
There has since been a fierce power struggle between Mr. DeSantis - widely seen as a potential 2024 presidential election candidate - and the company, which has long enjoyed special tax district status in Orlando.
He appointed an oversight board to oversee development in and around Walt Disney World.
That board later endorsed a legal opinion that declared void an agreement that laid the foundation for billions of dollars in the future development of the theme park.
Florida lawmakers also passed legislation that ended Disney's virtual autonomy in developing 25,000 acres of land.
Image: Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is widely seen as a 2024 presidential election candidate
Disney, however, frustrated the work of the oversight board by pushing through changes to its special tax district agreement that will limit the board's powers.
Its lawsuit against Mr. DeSantis says: "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."
Chief Executive Bob Iger has called the retaliation against the company "anti-business" and "anti-Florida."
A spokesperson for Mr. DeSantis was yet to comment.
No comments:
Post a Comment