Over the weekend, a group of Neo-Nazis gathered outside of Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, waving large swastika flags and Ron DeSantis 2024 campaign flags. The protest was the first for the newly-established hate group, Order of the Black Sun.[0] The incident is not isolated, as Florida experienced other hateful acts over the weekend, with the Anti-Defamation League recording 269 incidents of antisemitic harassment, vandalism, and assault in the state alone. The incident has sparked widespread outrage, with activists, politicians, and organizations condemning the hateful demonstration.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has been engaged in a feud with Walt Disney World for more than a year after the company publicly opposed the state’s “Don’t Say Gay” law, which bans classroom lessons on sexual orientation and gender identity in early grades.[1] In response, DeSantis targeted Disney’s self-governing powers, and Disney retaliated by suing him, alleging that he has weaponized government power against the business.[2] Earlier this year, DeSantis sought to abolish Disney’s special tax district status, and the Florida legislature eventually stripped Disney’s control over the district’s oversight board.[3] DeSantis later canceled two agreements that were previously passed by the board led by Disney. These agreements had given the corporation authority over construction within its unique district.[3]
Jewish communities in the U.S. are facing unprecedented levels of violence and hate speech.[4] According to the Anti-Defamation League, 3,697 antisemitic incidents were recorded in 2022, a 36% increase compared with 2021, and the highest number since the ADL started keeping statistics in 1979. With 269 incidents reported, Florida ranked fourth among all U.S. states in terms of incidents that occurred last year.[5] Calls for action against acts of hate have been made by leaders representing different organizations, including the Union for Reform Judaism and the ADL.[6]
The incident outside of Walt Disney World has sparked condemnation from politicians, activists, and organizations alike. Florida Representative Anna Vishkaee Eskamani shared video footage of the demonstration on social media, writing, “Nazis outside of Walt Disney World right now — absolutely disgusting.”[5] Activist and organizer Shannon Watts tweeted, “Two dozen white supremacists are outside the main Disney World entrance in Orlando right now, marching with signs featuring Gov DeSantis’s face, swastikas, the n-word and homophobic slurs. This is the 2023 Republican Party.”My grandfather is spinning in his grave.”My grandfather is spinning in his grave.
0. “Neo-Nazis who held rally outside Disney World were from ‘Order of the Black Sun’ hate group” Daily Mail, 13 Jun. 2023, https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12191575/Neo-Nazis-held-rally-outside-Disney-World-Order-Black-Sun-hate-group.html
1. “Neo-Nazi demonstration near Walt Disney World has Tampa Bay area organizations concerned, ‘A fear in the air'” CBS News, 14 Jun. 2023, https://www.cbsnews.com/tampa/news/neo-nazi-demonstration-outside-disney-world-tampa-bay-organizations-react
2. “Video Footage Of Protesters With Nazi Flags At Disney World Goes Viral Amidst DeSantis And Disney Feud” CinemaBlend, 12 Jun. 2023, https://www.cinemablend.com/theme-parks/video-footage-of-protesters-with-nazi-flags-at-disney-world-goes-viral-amidst-desantis-and-disney-feud
3. “Why are protesters waving swastika flags in front of Disney World?” Forward, 13 Jun. 2023, https://forward.com/news/550340/disney-world-protesters-swastika-flags-desantis/
4. “Nazis at Disney; mental health; affordable housing; RAW Talks” WJCT NEWS, 13 Jun. 2023, https://news.wjct.org/show/first-coast-connect-with-melissa-ross/2023-06-13/first-coast-connect-nazis-disney-affordable-housing
5. “Nazi demonstrators wave DeSantis sign and swastikas outside Disney World in Orlando” Orlando Weekly, 12 Jun. 2023, https://www.orlandoweekly.com/news/nazi-demonstrators-wave-desantis-sign-and-swastikas-outside-disney-world-in-orlando-34397887
6. “Shocking display of Nazi Flags at Disney World – What does DeSantis have to say?” Hindustan Times, 14 Jun. 2023, https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/shocking-display-of-nazi-flags-at-disney-world-what-does-desantis-have-to-say-101686744848427.html
7. “Protesters gather at Disney World with swastikas and Ron DeSantis presidential campaign banners” REVOLT, 12 Jun. 2023, https://www.revolt.tv/article/2023-06-12/308378/protesters-wave-swastikas-ron-desantis-signs-at-disney-world
8. “Neo-Nazis Protest Outside Disney World With Swastikas & DeSantis Signs” Advocate.com, 12 Jun. 2023, https://www.advocate.com/news/florida-desantis-nazi-disney-swastikas
9. “Roy Disney’s granddaughter said he’s ‘spinning in his grave’ over Nazi display outside Disney World” New York Post , 13 Jun. 2023, https://nypost.com/2023/06/12/roy-disneys-granddaughter-said-hes-spinning-in-his-gave-over-nazi-display-outside-disney-world/
10. “Abigail Disney condemns Nazi demonstration by Ron DeSantis’ supporters” Hindustan Times, 14 Jun. 2023, https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/my-grandfather-is-spinning-in-his-grave-abigail-disney-condemns-nazi-demonstration-by-ron-desantis-supporters-101686707426441.html
11. “Far-right gathering at Disney by new hate group, experts say” Orlando Sentinel, 12 Jun. 2023, https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2023/06/12/officials-denounce-nazi-demonstration-outside-disney-amid-rising-antisemitism-in-florida
