Walt Disney World is no stranger to the fury of radical ideology harbored against them. The boiling tension between Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and the Walt Disney Company has been spilling over for quite some time, and things are worsening. A crowd of white supremacists has once again descended upon Florida’s Disney theme park. The group is waving Nazi flags, while DeSantis and Trump banners have shown up as well.
How Did We Get Here?
Ron DeSantis and Disney have been engaged in a legal battle since the former Walt Disney Company CEO Bob Chapek criticized Florida’s Parental Rights in Education Act (better known as the “Don’t Say Gay” Bill). In an effort to diminish the company, the governor has taken steps to dismantle the Reedy Creek board that Disney uses to manage its property. Moreover, Disney has filed a lawsuit against DeSantis, claiming that he has unlawfully used his position in government to attack their right to free speech.
The entire debacle has caused many hate groups to pursue a vendetta against the company, calling it “woke” and claiming it grooms children.
Nazis outside of Walt Disney World right now — absolutely disgusting. pic.twitter.com/WeXtRi3OSL
— Rep. Anna V. Eskamani, PhD 🔨 (@AnnaForFlorida) June 10, 2023
The dozens of protestors can be heard shouting slurs such as “white power” and “go back to Mexico” as people drive past them. Flags supporting DeSantis’s 2024 presidential bid can also be seen amongst the Nazi paraphernalia. Sights like these are all too familiar in modern politics.
Two dozen white supremacists are outside the main Disney World entrance in Orlando right now, marching with signs featuring Gov DeSantis’s face, swastikas, the n-word and homophobic slurs.
This is the 2023 Republican Party. pic.twitter.com/ISh5dkDGYe
— Shannon Watts (@shannonrwatts) June 10, 2023
Not the First Time White Supremacists Have Come to Disney
This is not the first time that white supremacists have congregated at the entrance to Walt Disney World. Ron DeSantis has tried to distance himself from these hate groups in the past, insisting that he has nothing to do with them and denouncing their behavior. However, that hasn’t stopped the groups from using his name.
It’s unfortunate to see these emboldened scenes happen once again on Disney’s doorstep. Furthermore, it is important to know that Disney does not condone the behavior on their property, nor do they allow protests or organizations of any kind.