After Disney sues DeSantis, Central Florida Tourism Oversight District board to sue back

ORLANDO, Fla. — Less than a week after Disney filed a federal lawsuit against Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, the newly appointed board at the center of the ongoing feud is suing the theme park giant back.

The chairman of the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District board, the members of which were handpicked by the governor to replace Disney’s Reedy Creek Improvement District board, announced Monday that the board is suing Disney back in state court.

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“Since Disney sued us, we have no choice now but to respond,” Chairman Martin Garcia said.

Garcia said the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District board called Monday’s meeting to authorize the legal action against Disney after Disney announced its lawsuit against the state last week.

Read: Disney v. DeSantis: Here’s a timeline of the battle between Florida’s governor, theme park giant

Disney’s lawsuit claims DeSantis launched a “targeted campaign of government retaliation” against Disney after Disney officials spoke out against Florida’s Parental Rights in Education legislation, called “don’t say gay” by its critics.

Read: Disney sues DeSantis alleging ‘targeted campaign of government retaliation’

Video: Disney sues DeSantis alleging ‘targeted campaign of government retaliation’ Disney filed a lawsuit against Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday claiming the governor launched a “targeted campaign of government retaliation." (Chantelle Navarro, WFTV.com)

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