Ron DeSantis Bans Certain Disney Cast Members From Public Spaces

One of the most recognizable names in the Republican Party today might be Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. The controversial governor has repeatedly found himself in the spotlight since he began fighting with one of the most powerful companies in his state — The Walt Disney Company. The two-year-long fight has led to questionable new laws, multiple lawsuits from both Disney and DeSantis, and one failed presidential campaign.

And now, Governor DeSantis has passed a new law that will target certain Walt Disney World Resort cast members.

On March 20, Gov. DeSantis signed into law a bill that would prohibit Florida’s homeless population from sleeping in public spaces, like in parks and on sidewalks. The law also promises to provide the state’s unhoused with better access to services for mental health and substance abuse. DeSantis said that the bill also provides for homeless encampments to be created when the shelters are at capacity.

While working at Walt Disney World would seem like a dream job for many, it is an open secret that cast members are constantly fighting with the Mouse House for better pay. Studies have shown that a large number of Disney cast members have admitted to being food insecure and having to sleep in their cars, even though they had full-time jobs at the parks.

Related: Mickey and Minnie Join the Picket Line: Disney’s Character Performers Ignite Fight for Union

Last year, hundreds of Disney cast members went on strike, demanding a fair wage. And it wasn’t just in Florida. Cast members at Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California, and Disneyland Paris also went on strike, fighting for better pay. Disney has always maintained that they pay cast members a fair rate, but the wage increases are not keeping up with inflation and the extreme rise in housing costs.

TikToker Jessica (@tremainetok) is a former Disney cast member and a harsh critic of the company. She has frequently told stories about her time working in the parks. Jessica worked full-time and was not able to afford the rent for an apartment. She said that Disney cast members have been food insecure and struggling with homelessness for decades.

@tremainetok

This ain’t it, Disney… #disney #fyp #foryou #foryoupage #castmember #disneyperformer #wdw #disneyworld

♬ original sound – TremaineTok

Abigail Disney — the grandniece of Walt Disney — has also harshly criticized the company. She even created an entire documentary film that was dedicated to exposing the company’s “unfair labor practices”.

Although she is currently backing Disney CEO Bob Iger as he fights to retain control of Disney’s Board of Directors, the two do not have a good relationship. And she had an even worse relationship with now-fired CEO Bob Chapek. She said that Chapek was the mastermind behind creating an environment where theme park cast members could not get a second job. He also cut costs by cutting cast members — which put more pressure on cast members who remained to do more with less and without a pay increase.

Related: Bob Chapek Responds to Being Thought of As a “Guy Who Cuts Costs and Raises Prices”

Critics of the new law say that it does not address the most pressing issue — fixing the state’s homeless crisis. Instead, they accuse the governor of wanting to hide homeless people, so tourists continue to travel to the state. Especially since the bill would allow residents, businesses, and even the state’s Attorney General to file a lawsuit against local governments that allow a homeless person to sleep on public property.

What do you think of Ron DeSantis’s new bill? Let us know in the comments.

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