Florida declares war on “Disney Republic”

in the middle of a intense political and cultural conflict, the so -called “Disney Republic” came to an end. The Florida Legislature and Republican Governor Ron DeSantis –Donald Trump’s favorite– they revoked the special privileges that the company had for 55 years and there will be no more autonomy in the land where its most famous amusement park is located.

The initiative has brought tremendous controversy since it was about one of the largest employers in Floridaa world -renowned company and the main tourist attraction of Sunshine State and Palm Trees.

Experts point out that the fight is part of the current “cultural war” in the United States and critics say DeSantis isn’t just looking destroy disney but to establish himself as “the king of Florida” and to support his candidacy for upcoming presidential.

For months, Republicans have been targeting Democratic media, business and politicians those they accuse of wanting to impose their progressive ideology on others. What could be better than to fight with a “liberal” enemy known around the world?

DeSantis signed legislation passed this week by the Republican-majority legislature that stripped Disney of special governing privileges on its own for more than 55 years, allowing it freely monitor the area of ​​your park thematic.

Until now Disney has worked as if it were a county, with the ability to impose its own taxes in that area, enact ordinances, plan construction and have its own security system and services such as treatment. water and trash, privileges granted in 1967 for Disney will place its park outside of Orlando.

But, by new law, on June 1, these prerogatives they will be removed. Most likely control is in the counties of Orange and Osceola, where the theme parks are located.

“Don’t Say Gay”

The feud between DeSantis and Disney began after the company openly opposed a law dubbed “Don’t Say Gay” by critics pushed by the governor and Republicans.

This initiative limiting instruction of sexuality and gender issues in kindergarten through third grade and allows parents to prosecute schools and teachers violate that premise.

Initially, Disney did not express an opinion on that law, which caused harm to the state’s most liberal sector. But in the end, under pressure from most of its 75,000 employeesthe company’s CEO, Bob Chapek, the public opposed it.

DeSantis’s reaction didn’t take long: “If Disney wanted to pick a match, they picked the wrong person,” he wrote in a fundraising email. Meanwhile, on the Fox network they began to denounce that the company had “a sex agenda for 6 year olds” and the hashtag #BoycottDisney it had millions of tweets and became a trend within a few days. “Disney woke” is underway.

Like the Vatican in Rome

Richard Foglesong, professor emeritus at Rollins College and author of “Married to the Mouse: Walt Disney World and Orlando,” said Clarion that “Disney has a kind of private government like the Vatican in Rome “.

He added: “I call it the mouse-eared Vatican.” However, the expert added, “I don’t think that’s what Gov. DeSantis is doing. He just wants to punish Disney for disagreeing with him on the issue of gay rights. “

DeSantis is a Trump dolphin and a serious presidential candidate for the next election. With a confrontational and direct style, he is one of the governors already resisted the use of the chinstrap and his state is now the home of the former president, who is situated at his home in Mar-a-Lago.

Charlie Crist, who was Governor of Florida from 2007 to 2011, and running to succeed DeSantis, tweeted:

“Attack on Disney, threatens to damage our state’s economic potential creating so many jobs and making so many dollars for tourism insane motion everywhere you look. Ron is a threat to our state’s economy and he has to leave in November, “he said. He also said that DeSantis seems to want to be” king of Florida. “

For expert Foglesong “this is an issue in the so -called cultural war. Republicans use it to attack some large corporations and it can tarnish the image of progressive companies like the Disney company. This is there’s new because the Republican Party usually supports big business. ”

Disney and the world of its blonde princesses await the rescue of their Prince Charming need to adapt to the new era on a delicate balance.

In recent years promoted racial and gender diversity to its main characters, it removed the scenes of slavery in games like Pirates of the Caribbean, as well as removed formula “ladies and gentlemen” of the last salute before the fireworks and replaced it with “dreamers of all ages”among other reforms.

But having to speak out against the law in schools has loosened up the anger of conservatives.

Said Jim Clark, professor of history at the University of Central Florida Clarion that “Governor DeSantis wants to teach a lesson to Disney and the company. paid a high price in defiance of the governor. “

The expert assigned a dimension that goes beyond Florida: “His attack on Disney was part of the cultural wars being waged in the United States. Today a national problem since Governor DeSantis is likely to be the presidential candidate, Disney is one of the most well -known companies in the world and the so -called “Don’t say gay” has become a big problem.

The effect of the law

When asked about the possible impact of this new law on Disney’s revenue or image, Clark said: “I don’t think it will have an impact on Disney’s finances. They are a large corporation and can absorb any financial damage it may cause. “

But he added: “As for its image, that’s a good point. Disney got angry on both sides over the ‘Don’t Say Gay’ debate and it certainly hit its image. It wants to be a place without politics and now in the midst of political war”.

Chapek, the company’s CEO, said at a shareholders meeting that he believes that “when someone passes through the gates of our parks, put aside your differences and see what it has as a shared belief in Disney’s magic, hope, dreams and imagination. ”

However, he warned how difficult it is to govern today in the United States“between the intense polarization of political views”.

Washington, correspondent

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