Florida: Ron DeSantis-Picked Board of Reedy Creek Cancels Diversity Progams -- Here's Why
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has escalated his feud with Disney, as the Disney district, Reedy Creek, now run by DeSantis loyalists, took away all of its diversity programs as he furthers his so-called "Anti-Woke" agenda.
The pro-Ron DeSantis board, assigned by the Florida governor himself when he took the board over, abolished all of the Reedy Creek Improvement District's diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, which the board claims "implemented hiring and contracting programs that discriminated against Americans based on gender and race, costing taxpayers millions of dollars."
"The so-called diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives were advanced during the tenure of the previous board and they were illegal and simply un-American," said one of the district's new board members, Glenton Gilzean. "Our district will no longer participate in any attempt to divide us by race or advance the notion that we are not created equal."
CNN reported that the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District has dissolved the district's DEI committee and eliminated any job duties relating to DEI. Not only that, but district employees will also not be allowed from using staff time to pursue DEI initiatives.
However, this will only affect the district's government workers and not private companies operating in the district. This means that Disney is still free to pursue DEI initiatives freely and not worry about repercussions from the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District board.
The Ongoing Ron DeSantis Vs. Disney Court Battle
Both sides are taking this feud to the courts as the board filed a countersuit against Disney after the previous Disney-backed board gave the country control over its theme parks and Walt Disney Company-operated land.
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This was done underneath DeSantis's nose, with the pro-DeSantis board not knowing of the move until weeks after they were sworn in. Disney tried to have the new board's lawsuit dismissed, but the judge allowed it to continue, according to Gizmodo.
The Ron DeSantis Vs. Disney feud has been unpopular and has proven costly for DeSantis, with many of his fellow Republicans criticizing him for the feud as other states like North Carolina try to woo Disney out of Florida.
Other top DeSantis backers have also slammed the Florida governor over this decision, while Disney seems to have gotten the upper hand when the company was granted control before the new DeSantis board came into power.
Ron DeSantis Vs. Disney Feud Benefits California and Gavin Newsom
While allies are slamming DeSantis over his actions against Disney, his political opponents are actually benefitting from the feud, which stemmed after Disney criticized DeSantis over his "War on Woke." One such opponent is California Gov. Gavin Newsom.
As DeSantis escalates the feud, Disney is moving much of its money back to California and benefitting the blue state. According to The Street, the media giant recently announced it will spend more on its California employees rather than use that money more to invest in Florida, even canceling a few projects in the Sunshine State.
Newsom recently attended Disneyland's Pride Nite and pointed out that DeSantis's intolerant policies are driving businesses away.
"In California, we don't just tolerate our diversity, we celebrate it and all the ways it makes us stronger," he said. "Our inclusivity and acceptance attract new talent and ideas that drive our economic growth and make California a hotspot for world-leading companies to grow and prosper."
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This article is owned by Latin Post.
Written by: Rick Martin
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