The Walt Disney Co. on Wednesday filed a First Amendment lawsuit against Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis for orchestrating a “campaign of government retaliation” for the company’s opposition to the “Don’t Say Gay” legislation.

The lawsuit marks an escalation in the yearlong battle between DeSantis and Disney, and comes as the governor’s allies are preparing a new round of legislation to assert control over Disney’s Orlando theme parks.

In the lawsuit, Disney said it regretted that it could not reach a resolution with the governor and had to go to court.

“Disney finds itself in this regrettable position because it expressed a viewpoint the Governor and his allies did not like. Disney wishes that things could have been resolved a different way,” the lawsuit states.

“But Disney also knows that it is fortunate to have the resources to take a stand against the State’s retaliation–a stand smaller businesses and individuals might not be able to take when the State comes after them for expressing their own views. In America, the government cannot punish you for speaking your mind.”

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