A federal judge on Wednesday dismissed Walt Disney’s lawsuit against Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and members of a state board for allegedly retaliating after the company criticized state limits on classroom discussions of sexuality.
DeSantis and other defendants had urged U.S. District Judge Allen Winsor in Tallahassee, Florida, to dismiss the case because Disney could not sue them under constitutionally enacted state laws. Winsor was nominated by then-President Donald Trump in 2019 to fill a vacancy.
“Disney lacks standing to sue the Governor or the Secretary,” the judge said in his ruling, according to a court filing. The company’s claims against the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District board also fail because “when a statute is ostensibly constitutional, a plaintiff cannot bring a free speech challenge alleging that the legislators who passed it acted with a constitutionally inadmissible purpose.”
DeSantis’ office and Florida’s oversight board did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
A Disney spokesperson said: “This is an important case with serious implications for the rule of law and will not end here.
Ron DeSantis and other defendants had urged the judge to dismiss the case because Disney could not sue them under constitutionally enacted state laws. AP
“If left unchallenged, this would set a dangerous precedent and give states license to weaponize their official powers to punish the expression of political views with which they disagree. “We are determined to move forward with our case.”
DeSantis and other defendants had urged U.S. District Judge Allen Winsor in Tallahassee, Florida, to dismiss the case because Disney could not sue them under constitutionally enacted state laws.
The dispute began after Disney last year criticized a ban on classroom debates, dubbed the “Don’t Say Gay” law by opponents.
DeSantis began repeatedly attacking what he called “woke Disney” in public appearances as he prepared for his campaign for the Republican presidential nomination, an effort he abandoned earlier this month.
“This is an important case with serious implications for the rule of law, and it will not end here,” a Disney spokesperson said. AP
State lawmakers stripped Disney of its control over the special development district that since 1967 had given the company virtual autonomy over its theme parks, including Walt Disney World Resort.
The newly formed district, appointed by DeSantis, known as the Central Florida Tourism Oversight Board, then voided contracts that Disney pushed for just before the previous board was replaced.
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Disney responded by suing the governor and board members for allegedly punishing the company for its political comments.
State lawmakers stripped Disney of its control over the special development district that since 1967 had given the company virtual autonomy over its theme parks, including Walt Disney World Resort. Above, CEO Bob Iger. fake images
The new board responded by asking a state court judge to declare the previous agreements, which were favorable to Disney and limited the board’s action for decades, inappropriate and void.
That case is still pending.
Disney allegedly gave the previous board and its employees millions of dollars in tickets, discounted hotel stays and other benefits that were “similar to bribes to public officials,” according to a report issued by the new board in early December.
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Source: vtt.edu.vn