Allies of Florida governor countersue Disney in growing legal battle

This combination of file pictures created on April 26, 2023, shows Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaking on March 30, 2023, in Smyrna, Georgia; and Disney CEO Robert Iger arriving for the 92nd Oscars at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California, on February 9, 2020. A Florida government panel allied with DeSantis has filed a countersuit against Disney on Monday, May 1, adding another layer to the escalating legal battle between the conservative governor and the entertainment giant. ROBYN BECK, ELIJAH NOUVELAGE / AFP

MIAMI, United States—A Florida government panel allied with Gov. Ron DeSantis has filed a countersuit against Disney on Monday, May 1, adding another layer to the escalating legal battle between the conservative governor and the entertainment giant.

Disney, a major employer in the southern state with its Orlando-based Walt Disney World theme park, has been under increasing legal sanction by the governor after it spoke out last year against a DeSantis-backed education bill concerning LGBTQ youth.

DeSantis, a rising conservative star with presidential ambitions, called out the “woke” corporation as part of his battle with institutions he deems too progressive.

In February, DeSantis removed Disney’s control of its special self-governing district, which allowed the city-sized park to run its own zoning and infrastructure projects, exempt from state regulations.

And on Wednesday, April 26, the DeSantis-appointed panel that then took control of the district voted to vacate the long-standing agreements that gave Disney effective powers of self-governance at the park.

In response, Disney filed suit against DeSantis, alleging “a targeted campaign of government retaliation” for Disney’s political positions.

Monday’s countersuit was filed by the same DeSantis-backed panel that voted to remove Disney’s self-governing abilities, in an effort to retain its control over the district and void past agreements with the company.

The 44-year-old governor has flexed his fight against Disney as a badge of honor in his quest against liberal companies and institutions, with the fight occupying an entire chapter of his recent autobiography.  /ra

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