Disney and Florida’s Governor Ron DeSantis have had several legal battles over the years. It all started in 2022, shortly after DeSantis passed his infamous “Don’t Say Gay” law. This bill banned discussions of sexual orientation and gender identity in public schools across all grades in Florida.
Many people spoke against this legislation, and as an all-inclusive organization, Disney also did not approve of this bill. The then-CEO of the company spoke out against the law and made several headlines.
After the legislative passed the bill, Disney acted against it before the Governor signed it. According to court proceedings, the company argued that it was a detrimental bill. It also noted that “it could be used to unfairly target gay, lesbian, non-binary, and transgender kids and families.”
After this, DeSantis made a big move against the corporate giant by revoking its Reedy Creek Improvement District. This gave Disney special governing privileges over the area encompassing the infrastructure of Disney World prior to their disagreement.
ALSO READ: Florida Teachers Sue State Over Anti-Pronoun Law in Schools
The Governor then created the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District, filling the board with his political allies. Disney responded with a number of lawsuits, but most remain unresolved. However, the company filed its latest lawsuit against DeSantis on January 11th. This new suit is based on another legal battle involving the Governor and not just Disney.
It involves a Democrat, Andrew Warren, who DeSantis fired in August 2022. Warden was re-elected as the state attorney for the 13th Judicial Circuit in Hillsborough County. Shortly afterward, he implemented some new policies and advocated for liberal judicial reforms.
DeSantis was not happy with these policies and removed Warren from office shortly after. He then replaced him with a political ally. Without a doubt, Warren felt like DeSantis wronged him and took the issue straight to court.
POLL—Should Public Schools Include Critical Race Theory and Sex Education in Their Curriculum?
He claimed that the Governor removed him because he did not approve of his views on abortion and transgender rights. Moreover, the First Amendment protects such opinions in public offices and spaces. Therefore, the suit argued Warren’s dismissal was unconstitutional.
Shortly after the issue went to court, a judge threw out the suit despite obvious proof that his dismissal was unconstitutional. According to the judge, Warren would have lost his position regardless of his opinions.
However, Warren did not give up. On January 10th, 2024, an appeals court ruled against the judge’s decision. They also ordered the district judge to reconsider the case thoroughly.
ALSO READ: Residents Decry Move as Schools Remove Books With “Sexual Content” Under New Florida Law
As news of this broke out, Disney saw an opportunity and seized it immediately. The company submitted its new suit just a day after the appeals court’s decision. Their legal team argued that the appeals court’s verdict also applies to their previous suit of April 2023.
In their new suit, Disney claims that the Governor violated their First Amendment rights just like he did with Warren. The suit also claims that it was unjust for him to take over the Reedy Creek Improvement District.
The current CEO of Disney, Bob Iger, also made a statement regarding the suit. He said DeSantis’ move was “patently retaliatory, patently anti-business, and patently unconstitutional.”
You Might Also Like:
“There’s a High Cost,” Herring Fishermen Kick Against Biden Administration Rule
“It’s Murder!” X Users Slam Greg Abbott Over Death of Migrant Children
New West Virginia Bill Requires Students to Use Bathroom According to Biological Sex
Copies of Colorado Town Newspapers Go Missing From Stands After Publishing a Rape Report
OSHA Blames Mississippi Slaughterhouse for the Death of Migrant Teen Sucked Into Machinery
