DeSantis fans with Nazi symbols
Swastika flags in front of Disneyland in Florida
6/12/2023, 4:41 p.m
In the USA, the fight of right-wing currents against the Disney group has reached a new low. Supporters of governor and presidential candidate Ron DeSantis recently demonstrated there with swastika flags in front of an entrance. There are no arrests.
Disneyland in Orlando, Florida is something like the mother of all theme parks. Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck and Co. have been delighting millions of visitors in the amusement park with its large castle for decades. However, the ideal amusement park world is repeatedly targeted by right-wing extremists and archconservatives, above all Florida’s governor Ron DeSantis, who is running for election as a presidential candidate by the Republicans and is challenging ex-president Donald Trump. Last weekend, DeSantis supporters protested in front of a Disneyland entrance with pictures of the 44-year-old and right-wing symbols. Among other things, swastika flags could be seen there.
According to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, 15 people gathered for the action. After two hours they should be gone again. “We are aware of these groups that aim to incite and goad people with anti-Semitic symbols and slander. They are also aware of the law,” the office said, according to USA Today. “Any form of hate speech is discouraged, but people have the right to demonstrate under the First Amendment.” There should not have been any arrests. Unlike in Germany, showing Nazi symbols is not usually a punishable offense in the USA.
Anna Eskamani, who represents the Florida House of Representatives for the Democrats, tweeted a video of the scene in front of the Disney entrance. She wrote: “Nazis in front of Walt Disney World – absolutely disgusting.” World pop star P!nk, among others, became aware of the post, and she also responded with clear words. She wrote about the recordings on her account, which has 31 million followers: “Are you kidding me?”
Why Walt Disney?
Right-wing currents have been targeting the Walt Disney Group for months. Governor DeSantis passed a controversial law banning sexual orientation and gender identity classes in the first three grades last year. Disney criticized this and also stopped its political donations. As a result, the group has become a target. For example, the Florida legislature had revoked the Disney group’s administrative rights for the district in which the world-famous theme park is located. The dispute ended up in court.
Disney is one of Florida’s most important employers and taxpayers, which is why DeSantis’ bitter fight against the company is also viewed critically in the ranks of the Republicans. The arch-conservative politician is considered Donald Trump’s biggest challenger in the race for the Republican presidential nomination. His chances of getting the better of the ex-president and running in 2024 could increase if Trump is convicted in the documents affair. Trump is accused of taking secret documents with him when he left the White House, which is against the law.