Here are your FOX Business Flash top headlines for March 22nd.
Two upcoming Disney World roller coasters are among projects that may be delayed as employees call for the company to do more to protect LGBTQ people and protest that CEO Bob Chapek has waited too long to get one from the Legislature to condemn legislation passed by the State of Florida.
According to Disney, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind was set to open at Disney’s EPCOT this summer. Although there was no official opening date yet, a ride based on the movie “Tron” had already begun testing.
SUN SENTINEL SHUT UP BECAUSE DESANTIS WERE CLAIMED “MANEUVERED” BY “DON’T SAY GAY”.
Protesters have called on the company to stop making donations to politicians involved in passing the law, such as Gov. Ron DeSantis, R-Fla., but they also demanded that Disney “stop construction and investment in the state of Florida.” until the law is repealed.
A screen shows the logo and a ticker symbol of The Walt Disney Company on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York, December 14, 2017. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid (REUTERS/Brendan McDermid / Reuters Photos)
DISNEY ACCUSED OF ‘COMPLICITY IN GENOCIDE IN CHINA’ BY ACTIVIST SHAREHOLDER
The law that sparked the protests is the Parents’ Rights in Education Act, which critics have dubbed the “Don’t Say Gay” law. If DeSantis signs the law, it would ban Florida public school educators from teaching sexual orientation or gender identity in kindergarten through third grade.
Gov. Ron DeSantis, R-Fla., answers questions related to school openings and mask-wearing on Aug. 10, 2021 in Surfside, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier/AP Newsroom)
DISNEY STAFF GO OUT TO CALL FOR MORE LGBTQ SUPPORT
Disney has come under fire from both sides of the political aisle for its response to the law. It has also come under fire for its activities in China. The National Legal and Policy Center, an ethics watchdog and shareholder, accused the media giant of “complicity in the genocide in China” at its recent shareholder meeting.
Gov. Ron DeSantis, R-Fla., speaks at a press conference at Eau Gallie High School’s aircraft hangar March 22, 2021. (Photo by Paul Hennessy/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images/Getty Images)
Disney initially did not publicly comment on the controversial bill, but Chapek later spoke out against it at a shareholders’ meeting after its passage. He announced a pause in political donations in Florida and claimed the company will give millions to support LGBTQ causes. He also expressed his willingness to meet with DeSantis regarding the company’s opposition to the legislation.
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On Tuesday, Disney+ released a statement saying the company “stands by our LGBTQIA+ employees, colleagues, families, narrators and fans, and we strongly condemn all laws protecting the basic human rights of people in the LGBTQIA+ community.” -Hurt community – especially laws that aim to and harm young people and their families.”
Fox Business’ Breck Dumas contributed to this report.