Disney filed a complaint on Wednesday against Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, equating the measures of the tenor of the American hard right, who ended the special status of the company in his state, with a campaign of “targeted revenge” against the band.
• Read also: Disney boss accuses Florida of disregarding free speech
• Read also: Florida takes control of Walt Disney World territory
• Read also: Florida votes to punish Disney for being too progressive
A major employer in this southern state with its Disney World amusement park in Orlando, the entertainment giant was recently sanctioned by Mr. DeSantis for defending progressive positions.
The governor, potential candidate for the White House, has made the fight against “wokism” one of his main battlegrounds.
In its complaint, Walt Disney Parks and Resort accuses Mr. DeSantis of having orchestrated a real “campaign” to carry out “targeted government revenge” against him, to punish him for having exercised his “freedom of expression”. This “now threatens Disney’s business activities, jeopardizes its economic future in the region and violates its constitutional rights”, argues the company.
The group had drawn the wrath of the governor by denouncing a bill that restricted the teaching of subjects related to sexual orientation in Florida elementary schools.
- Listen to Luc Laliberté’s editorial broadcast live every day at 1 p.m. 43 via QUB-radio :
Mr. DeSantis has since removed Disney’s special status in his state in February, ending the benefits the Disney World theme park had enjoyed since the 1960s.
Following the decision, a tourism regulatory committee appointed by Mr. DeSantis on Wednesday approved the cancellation of a recently concluded commercial agreement with the park, which employs 75,000 people and attracts 50 million visitors a year.
Disney reacts by denouncing in its complaint “a retaliatory measure, manifestly anti-trade and manifestly unconstitutional”. The group believes that it “has no choice but to take this legal action to protect its employees, customers and partners”.
In early April, Disney boss Bob Iger had already publicly accused Ron DeSantis of taking an “anti-trade action” that violated the company’s “right to free speech.”