Disney asks judge to take case from DeSantis appointees

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Disney asked a Florida judge on Friday to file a lawsuit against the company’s efforts to neutralize Gov. Ron DeSantis and his appointees’ takeover of Disney World lands. ing.

An hour-long hearing in Orlando’s state court is the appointment of Disney and DeSantis or its jurisdiction resulting from the acquisition, which was in retaliation for the company’s public opposition to the so-called “Don’t Say You’re Gay” bill. in one of the two lawsuits between DeSantis and Republican state legislators supported him.

Disney and DeSantis have been engaged in a year-long feud, with the governor touting his bid for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination and often accusing entertainment giant DeSantis of being “too awake.” rice field. Disney accused the governor of violating his right to free speech.

Disney argued to Circuit Court Judge Margaret Shriver that any ruling in state court would be void because the Republican-controlled Congress has already passed legislation that would void the agreement. If a judge decides not to dismiss the state lawsuit, the entertainment giant will remain in state court until the Tallahassee federal lawsuit is resolved, as it deals with the same grounds and preceded the Tallahassee federal lawsuit. are seeking to stay the lawsuit of

In the case, Disney sent DeSantis and his appointees to Central Florida to block the takeover, accusing the governor of violating the company’s free speech and “weaponizing the government’s power to punish private corporations.” appealed to the surveillance district.

DeSantis’s appointees to the district board have asked the judge not to dismiss the lawsuit, saying it was not an issue and it was inappropriate to stay it on hold.

In a court filing, lawyers for the Watchdog District Board said, “Disney’s allegations are classic imaginations, trying to trick the court into believing that reality is what Disney dreamed up.”

DeSantis’ and Disney’s feud last year came under considerable internal and external pressure as the company announced a state law banning classroom teaching on sexual orientation and gender identity in the early grades (policy critics called it “Don’t Say Gay”). It began with a public opposition to

As punishment, DeSantis took over the district through a bill passed by the Florida legislature and appointed a new oversight board to oversee the city’s services to the sprawling theme parks and hotels. But before the new board could take office, the company struck a deal with former Disney-backed oversight board members to strip the new supervisors of design and construction authority.