DeSantis attorneys ask federal judge to dismiss Disney’s free speech lawsuit

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Attorneys for Gov. Ron DeSantis are asking a federal judge to dismiss a free speech lawsuit filed by Disney after the Florida governor took over Walt Disney World’s governing district in retaliation for the company opposing the state’s so-called don’t say gay law. The law bans classroom lessons on sexual orientation and gender identity in early grades. Tuesday’s planned hearing is the first time oral arguments are being made in federal court in Tallahassee over Disney’s claim that DeSantis used state powers to punish the entertainment giant in violation of the First Amendment. The governor’s attorneys are arguing that he was immune to such lawsuits.