The Empire Strikes Back. Minutes after the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District moved to nullify a contract with Disney World, The Walt Disney Company filed a lawsuit against Florida Governor Ron DeSantis claiming “a targeted campaign of government retaliation”. The lawsuit names not only DeSantis, but each of his hand-selected Board Members.
The lawsuit claims that DeSantis and the Board have threatened Disney’s business operations as punishment for the Company exercising its First Amendment right to protected speech. The lawsuit claims that Disney’s constitutional rights have been infringed. The main point of contention is the Board’s decision to nullify a contract at today’s meeting.
Disney says that the retaliatory behavior from DeSantis and the Board that does the governor’s bidding is “patently retaliatory, patently anti-business, and patently unconstitutional”. With regards to what caused the unconstitutional action from DeSantis, Disney says “there is no room for disagreement about what happened here: Disney expressed its opinion on state legislation and was then punished by the State for doing so”.
Disney says that they are “forced to defend…against a State weaponizing its power to inflict political punishment”. Disney outlines federal constitutional rights that it says were violated – the Contracts Clause, the Takings Clause, and the Due Process Clause.
The lawsuit says that Disney regrets that it has come to this, but that it has exhausted its efforts to seek a resolution and must protect its rights and it must protect its Cast Members, partners, and guests. Here’s the lawsuit, which was filed in the Northern District of Florida.
As always, keep checking back with us here at BlogMickey.com as we continue to bring you the latest news, photos, and info from around the Disney Parks!