A coalition of activist groups thinks Mickey Mouse and Donald Trump are not a magical combination – and they organized a rally Tuesday to say so.
The groups including Organize Florida and the Council for Popular Democracy Action are calling for The Walt Disney Co. Chief Executive Officer Bob Iger to resign from Trump’s economic advisory council. The reason: Trump’s controversial statements and policies, particularly on immigration.
Almost 400,000 signatures have been collected on online petitions calling for Iger to dump Trump, an Organize Florida representative said. On Tuesday, activists dropped off printed copies of the petitions’ electronic signatures at a Disney corporate office.
Then the activists took to the streets, with several dozen people gathering outside a Walt Disney World entrance for a rally.
Protesters carried signs and chanted slogans sprinkled with Disney pop culture references.
“Wall-E, not Walls!” “The Force is not with Donald Trump.” “Donald Duck, not Donald Trump!”
Disney World representatives did not respond to a request for comment.
Organize Florida says it plans to continue the campaign calling for Iger to disassociate himself with Trump.
The organization causing the public-relations headache for Iger is called the the President’s Strategic and Policy Forum. Trump appointed the panel, consisting of about 15 present and former corporate leaders, last year shortly after his election.
Pressure has been on some of those executives to quit after Trump’s executive order temporarily banned nationals from seven Muslim-majority countries from entering the United States,. Uber Chief Executive Officer Travis Kalanick announced his departure this month after complaints from employees and customers.
Iger skipped the council’s first meeting this month. Disney said he had to attend a previously scheduled company board meeting.
People attending Tuesday’s event pointed out Disney is a company that celebrates diversity and is seen as a symbol of American values.
“Disney’s success is built on the back of immigrants,” said Rasha Mubarak, with the Council on American-Islamic Relations of Florida, speaking to the crowd.
Other speakers included farmworker activist Tirso Moreno and Angela McKinnon, a longtime Disney foodservice worker who is now the financial secretary and treasurer for Unite Here! Local 737.
Trump’s policies are “so against Disney’s values,” McKinnon said before the protest. “It’s against my values and Central Florida values. For Iger to stay on that board, it’s not a good thing.”
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spedicini@orlandosentinel.com or 407-420-5240; Twitter @SandraPedicini
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