Walt Disney sued Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday, claiming his drawn-out feud with the House of Mouse is violating its free speech rights and damaging business. The company filed the lawsuit minutes after a Walt Disney World oversight board appointed by DeSantis voided a deal that maintained Disney control over most of its theme park operations.
Disney called the actions "the latest strike" in "a targeted campaign of government retaliation … orchestrated at every step by Gov. DeSantis as punishment for Disney's protected speech," the Dow Jones entertainment giant wrote in the filing.
DeSantis, Disney Feud
DeSantis and Mickey Mouse have been feuding since last March. Former CEO Bob Chapek opposed DeSantis-backed legislation banning gender identity and sexual orientation discussions in classrooms until the third grade.
Now, Disney says the feud jeopardizes its business operations, economic future in the region and violates its constitutional rights.
The company cited DeSantis statements about plans to add hotel taxes, toll roads, more amusement parks in the district or even a state prison next to Walt Disney World.
"Who knows? I just think the possibilities are endless," DeSantis said previously.
Disney says it exhausted efforts to seek a resolution. The House of Mouse attempted to circumvent DeSantis' new board of supervisors by pushing through an eleventh hour agreement recently stripping them of much of their authority over the self-governing district.
The DeSantis board Wednesday said the Disney move was effectively unlawful and performed without proper public notice.
The entertainment behemoth disagrees, saying all agreements from the previous board were legal and approved in a public forum.
DIS stock edged lower in Wednesday's market trading, trading below its 50-day and 200-day moving averages.
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