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Disney fans petition to change Splash Mountain's theme due to 'racist tropes'

Posted at 8:59 PM, Jun 10, 2020
and last updated 2020-06-11 11:37:42-04

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Fans are calling for Disney to re-theme one of its iconic theme park rides, according to an online petition.

The petition, posted on Change.org, wants Splash Mountain to remove all of its references to Song of the South.

The petition says the 1946 movie is "steeped in extremely problematic and stereotypical racist tropes." The petition suggests Disney should change the theme to Princess and the Frog. Tiana, the main character in the film, is recognized for being Disney's first African-American princess.

The call for change comes as the country continues to hold discussions surrounding racial injustice. Earlier in the week, the nation said goodbye to George Floyd as the 46-year-old African-American man was laid to rest next to his mother in the Houston area.

Floyd's death caught the nation's attention after a viral video showed the 46-year-old man struggling while in police custody back in late May. The video showed a white police officer, later identified as Derek Chauvin, kneeling on Floyd's neck.

Chauvin was initially charged with third-degree murder before it was later upgraded to second-degree murder. He’s also being charged with manslaughter.

The three other officers involved in the deadly incident -- Tou Thao, J. Alexander Kueng and Thomas Lane -- are being charged with aiding and abetting second-degree murder for their role in Floyd's death.