A federal judge on Wednesday dismissed a case brought by the Walt Disney Company against Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL), claiming that the state of Florida retaliated against the company for its vocal opposition to the Parental Rights in Education Act, which was deemed the 'Don't Say Gay' bill by the left-wing media.
Disney brought the case against DeSantis and the Central Florida Tourism Oversight district board and argued that the state violated the company's freedom of speech. This argument, however, did not align with previous precedent, leading to the federal judge's dismissal of the case.
"Disney lacks standing to sue the Governor or the Secretary," U.S. District Judge Allen Winsor said in his ruling, adding, "When a statute is facially constitutional, a plaintiff cannot bring a free-speech challenge by claiming that the lawmakers who passed it acted with a constitutionally impermissible purpose."
A spokesman for the Walt Disney Company explained that the case was not over despite the dismissal. "This is an important case with serious implications for the rule of law, and it will not end here," the company's spokesman said. "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."
The feud between DeSantis and Disney began in early 2022 when the company took a stand against the Parental Rights in Education Act, which barred children from kindergarten through third grade from being exposed to discussions of sexual orientation or gender identity. Following Disney's entry into the political arena, the Florida legislature stripped the company of its special development district, which encompasses Walt Disney World in the Sunshine State.
Disney brought the case against DeSantis and the Central Florida Tourism Oversight district board and argued that the state violated the company's freedom of speech. This argument, however, did not align with previous precedent, leading to the federal judge's dismissal of the case.
"Disney lacks standing to sue the Governor or the Secretary," U.S. District Judge Allen Winsor said in his ruling, adding, "When a statute is facially constitutional, a plaintiff cannot bring a free-speech challenge by claiming that the lawmakers who passed it acted with a constitutionally impermissible purpose."
A spokesman for the Walt Disney Company explained that the case was not over despite the dismissal. "This is an important case with serious implications for the rule of law, and it will not end here," the company's spokesman said. "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."
The feud between DeSantis and Disney began in early 2022 when the company took a stand against the Parental Rights in Education Act, which barred children from kindergarten through third grade from being exposed to discussions of sexual orientation or gender identity. Following Disney's entry into the political arena, the Florida legislature stripped the company of its special development district, which encompasses Walt Disney World in the Sunshine State.
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