A federal judge on Wednesday dismissed Walt Disney's lawsuit against Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and members of a state board over alleged retaliation after the company criticized state restrictions on classroom discussions of sexuality, according to a court filing.
“This is an important case with serious implications for the rule of law, and it will not end here,” a Disney spokesperson said.
“If left unchallenged, it would set a dangerous precedent and give states permission to use their official powers as a weapon to punish the expression of political viewpoints with which they disagree.” “We are determined to press forward our case .”
DeSantis and other defendants had asked U.S. District Judge Allen Winsor in Tallahassee, Florida, to dismiss the case because Disney could not sue them under state constitutional law.
A federal judge on Wednesday dismissed Walt Disney's lawsuit against Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and members of a state board over alleged retaliation against the company
The dispute began after Disney last year criticized its ban on classroom discussion, which opponents called the “Don't Say Gay” law.
DeSantis began repeatedly attacking what he called “Disney woke” in public appearances as he prepared to campaign for the Republican presidential nomination, an attempt he abandoned earlier this month.
State lawmakers stripped Disney of control of the special development district, which since 1967 had given the company virtual autonomy around its theme parks, including the Walt Disney World Resort.
The newly formed DeSantis-appointed district, known as the Central Florida Tourism Oversight Board, then invalidated contracts that Disney had enforced shortly before the previous board was replaced.
Disney responded by suing the governor and board members for allegedly punishing the company for its political statements.
The new board struck back by asking a state court judge to invalidate and void previous agreements that were favorable to Disney and restricted board activity for decades. This case is still pending.
According to a report by the new board released in early December, Disney allegedly gave the existing board and its employees millions of dollars worth of tickets, discounted hotel stays and other benefits that were “comparable to bribes from public officials.”
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