DeSantis, Disney World board appointees ask that Disney lawsuit be dismissed
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Lawyers for state agency Governor Ron DeSantis and his appointees on a revamped board that runs Disney World are asking a judge to dismiss a federal lawsuit alleging Disney’s right to free speech has been violated by the takeover of the ruling district. According to the lawsuit, this was in retaliation for Disney’s opposition to the so-called “Don’t Say Gay” legislation championed by Florida’s governor.
Lawyers for DeSantis, the Secretary of the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity and DeSantis appointees of the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District filed motions on Monday asking that Disney’s lawsuit be dismissed, stayed in federal court in Tallahassee or drop as defendants.
The federal court has no jurisdiction over the Republican governor and state agency secretary, who are immune from the lawsuit, and the governor and secretary do not enforce any of the laws in question, so Disney has no authority to pursue its claims, attorneys for the State of Florida argued in their motion to dismiss.
The motion also states that DeSantis has legislative immunity that protects him from actions taken while conducting “legitimate legislative activities.”
“While Disney made headlines by suing the governor, Disney — like many litigants before it who have challenged Florida laws — has no basis for doing so,” the motion states.
In their motion, DeSantis’ appointees on the Disney World board asked a federal judge to either dismiss or suspend the case until some of the same issues raised in the federal lawsuit are resolved in state court. where the council has made a decision. pending lawsuit against Disney.
The DeSantis appointees took over Disney World’s board of directors earlier this year after a years of feud between the company and DeSantis. The battle started last year after Disney was ravaged by considerable pressure internally and externally publicly opposes a state law banning classroom classes on sexual orientation and gender identity in the first grades, a call from policy critics “Don’t say gay.”
As punishment, DeSantis took over the district through legislation passed by Florida lawmakers appointing a new Board of Supervisors to oversee municipal services for the sprawling theme parks and hotels. But before the new board took office, the company made arrangements with previous board members who were Disney supporters, stripping the new supervisors of their authority over design and construction.
In response, DeSantis and Florida lawmakers passed legislation repealing these agreements.
Disney sued DeSantis and the five-member board, which asked a federal judge to void the governor’s takeover of the theme park district, as well as the actions of the board of trustees, as violations of the company’s freedom of speech.
The board sued Disney in an effort to maintain control over the construction and design of Disney World.
DeSantis, who announced his campaign ahead of the GOP’s presidential nomination in May 2024, the fight with Disney has been used to polish his “anti-woke” credentials and demonstrate his ability to push a conservative agenda.
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Follow Mike Schneider on Twitter at @MikeSchneiderAP
