The problem with the slippery slope defense is that it’s, well…a slippery slope. If A happens, then rest assured that B will happen. But realistically, how does anyone know for sure that B will ever happen? But the Walt Disney Company made a good point in a briefing that came out earlier this week. If Florida Governor Ron DeSantis can retaliate against Disney for speaking out against Florida’s Parental Rights in Education Act, known by its critics as the “Don’t Say Gay” bill, who’s to say what other types of retaliation may come next?
Related:Â Disney Accuses DeSantis and His Allies of Withholding Evidence
Earlier this month, Governor DeSantis and the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District asked Federal Court Judge Allen Winsor to dismiss Disney’s case. Disney responded by saying that the governor violated its First Amendment Rights and that if this is allowed to happen, any entity that has a “disfavorable viewpoint” could be punished in a similar manner.
Disney wrote in the briefing:
Governor DeSantis and his allies are engaged in an ongoing constitutional mutiny. If the line is not drawn here, there is no line at all. The retaliation against Disney for crossing the Governor’s ‘line’ was swift and severe: for the explicitly-stated purpose of punishing Disney for its comments, the State immediately stripped Disney of its voting rights in the governing body that oversees Disney’s use of its own private property.
In its brief, lawyers for Disney argued that the First Amendment protects the right to Free Speech even if it goes against the government in power. Disney argued that Governor DeSantis’ motion to dismiss the case should be dismissed, and the case should be allowed to proceed.
Disney’s Case
After former Disney CEO Bob Chapek spoke out against Florida’s Parental Rights in Education Act, DeSantis and the Florida Legislature passed a law stripping Disney World of the Reedy Creek Improvement District and replacing it with the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District. The new Board was filled with DeSantis appointees, who immediately went to work to remake the District in DeSantis’ mold.
Before the new Board took over, Disney agreed with the Reedy Creek Board to strip the new Board of its power. The Florida Legislature passed another law making the deals null and void. Disney sued both the Board and Florida Gov Ron DeSantis in Federal Court. The CFTOD sued Disney in State Court, hoping to void any deals Disney struck with Reedy Creek.
Disney has also countersued the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District in State Court, claiming that the creation of the new Board violated the Contracts Clause of the Constitution. Disney is seeking unspecified damages and is asking the Court to return the Reedy Creek Improvement District.
Disney has also accused the DeSantis Board of withholding evidence in its lawsuit. Disney told the Judge in court papers that the Board had not produced any of the documents requested by Disney. Judge Winsor will not decide if Disney’s First Amendment lawsuit will continue or will he side with the Florida governor and his Board and dismiss the case.
We will continue to update this story at Disney Fanatic.
Why is Ron decent to stick in his nose and everybody’s business why don’t he keep his nose on his own face instead of everybody else’s
Disney has been around for many years in Florida and brings in a lot of money if things like this keep happening Disney loses money in Florida will be losing money too because of it this needs to stop let people come in and enjoy Disney without any hassles and the employees need to work with less stress under their belts let Florida be a attraction for people all over the world it is called a magical happy place