Disney Responds After DeSantis Lawsuit Is Dismissed: “It Will Not End Here”
The Walt Disney Company was likely stunned earlier today when Judge Allen Winsor dismissed the company’s First Amendment lawsuit against Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and the Central Florida Tourism Oversight (CFTOD) board.
Disney had been suing DeSantis and his allies in federal court over the dissolution of the Disney-controlled Reedy Creek Improvement District.
In their suit, Disney argued that DeSantis and his allies had dissolved Reedy Creek and replaced it with the governor-appointed CFTOD in retaliation for Disney speaking out against Florida’s Parental Rights in Education bill, which critics had dubbed “Don’t Say Gay.”
DeSantis, meanwhile, argued that the dissolution of Reedy Creek was about reform, not retaliation, and that he was immune from such lawsuits under the 11th Amendment.
Judge Winsor Dismisses the Case
In his ruling today, Judge Winsor sided with DeSantis and the CFTOD, adjudicating that Disney lacked standing to sue DeSantis and that the company’s suit against the CFTOD failed on merit.
“When a statute is facially constitutional, a plaintiff cannot bring free-speech challenge by claiming that the lawmakers who passed it acted with a constitutionally impermissible purpose,” Winsor wrote, citing a 2015 federal court ruling.
Disney Responds
Following today’s ruling, Disney released a statement that seemed to indicate it would be appealing Judge Winsor’s decision.
“This is an important case with serious implications for the rule of law, and it will not end here,” a company spokesman said in an unsigned statement.
“If left unchallenged, this would set a dangerous precedent and give license to states to weaponize their official powers to punish the expression of political viewpoints they disagree with. We are determined to press forward with our case.”
While the fight between Disney and DeSantis is likely far from over, today’s judgment was a major setback for The Walt Disney Company.
As always, be sure to check back with MickeyBlog. We will continue to update you on any developments in the battle between Disney and Ron DeSantis.
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