United States: Governor Ron DeSantis settles accounts with Disney "wokists"

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signing his School Parental Rights Bill, March 28, 2022 in Shady Hills, Florida.

The starting point of his falling out with the Walt Disney Company, whose CEO then took a position in the case, in November.

AP - Douglas R. Clifford

Text by: RFI Follow

2 mins

It is undoubtedly the epilogue of a battle which has opposed, for a year, the governor of Florida to the Disney group.

Ron DeSantis has just signed a law revoking the special status enjoyed by the company for its amusement park in Florida.

DeSantis accuses Disney of "wokism" since its ex-CEO criticized its "Don't Say Gay" law, which bans talking about homosexuality in elementary schools.

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With our correspondent in Miami,

No doubt for American political commentators.

If Ron DeSantis revokes Disney's special status in Florida, it's only to punish the big-eared firm that dared to criticize him.

Since the 1960s, the famous amusement park had its own quasi-autonomously administered district near Orlando.

But “ 

 ,” thunders DeSantis, signing the cancellation of this special status.

I signed legislation to end Disney's self-governing status, placed the area in state receivership, and appointed 5 members to a state control board.

Disney no longer has its own government, will live under the same laws as everyone else and pay its debts and fair share of taxes.

pic.twitter.com/5JnZmEjSdv

— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) February 27, 2023

The group, however mythical and very popular in the United States, is accused by DeSantis of being a "woke" firm, that is to say progressive, which would like to indoctrinate children on LGBT + issues.

The quarrel dates back to last year, when Bob Chapek, the ex-CEO of Disney, issued a statement denouncing Ron DeSantis' "Don't Say Gay" law, which prohibits teachers from talking about homosexuality in classrooms. primary schools.

►Also read United States: mobilization of Disney employees against an anti-LGBT law in Florida

Disney CEO Bob Chapek posted a statement online and sent an email to employees saying the company was wrong to stay silent on the issue before the Republican-dominated Legislature passed what opponents have dubbed the “Don't Say Gay” bill.

https://t.co/NsW7iSp5BI

— The Associated Press (@AP) March 12, 2022

This fight against Mickey allows Ron DeSantis, an expected presidential candidate, to position himself as a champion of right-wing values ​​with the conservative electorate.

But his decision is denounced as undemocratic by the opposition.

“

writes an elected Democrat on Twitter,

»

► Read also: Ron DeSantis bans African-American history class in Florida high schools

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