Three Things for March 23
1. Disney employees protest company’s response to “Don’t Say Gay” bill
On Tuesday, March 22, Walt Disney Company employees walked off the job in protest of the company’s response to the bill.
“The full-scale walkout came after Disney employees planned a series of smaller walkouts during their 15-minute breaks to urge the company to take a stronger stance against the Parental Rights in Education legislation, which advocates have dubbed the ‘Don't Say Gay’ bill,” reports NPR.
The bill itself bars instruction on “sexual orientation or gender identity” in kindergarten through grade 3. Republican lawmakers pushing the legislation argued parents, not teachers, should be the ones talking to their children about gender issues during their formative years.
Along with the walk-out, many Disney employees signed an open letter addressing the company’s statements regarding the bill.
“Employees are calling for Disney to stop making political donations to certain Florida politicians – including Gov. Ron DeSantis – and commit to a plan to protect LGBTQIA+ staff from such legislation, among other demands,” reports NPR.
2. Tornadoes in Louisiana, Texas and Oklahoma cause devastation to suburbs
On Monday, March 21, tornadoes swept through Texas and Oklahoma, killing a woman north of Dallas and leaving behind injury and destruction in the surrounding area.
The next day, March 22, the damage moved eastward as other tornadoes tore through the suburbs of New Orleans, Louisiana. One death has already been confirmed following the tornado which hit the same area devastated by Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
According to AP News, “Parts of St. Bernard Parish, which borders New Orleans to the southeast, appeared to take the brunt of the weather’s fury, and that is where the fatality occurred. St. Bernard Parish officials gave no details on how the person died; they said multiple other people were injured.”
Last night, around 13,000 homes and businesses lost electrical power during the storm, and, according to Entergy, around 3,500 remain without power as of this morning.
3. Two Chilhowee Middle School students placed under house arrest
On Monday, March 21, two Chilhowee Middle School students were placed under house arrest by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
According to The Cleveland Daily Banner, the students were “allegedly planning acts of violence against students and school personnel.”
The threat was reported to school officials by other students who felt unsafe.
Director of Schools James R. Jones reports the students were “never on campus with any weapon, and they never posed an actual threat to any student” but the investigation is ongoing and the students will remain under house arrest for the time being.
Jones commended school officials for reporting the information to the police, as he believes the safety and well-being of students is the school system’s top priority.
