*A Los Angeles jury has ruled against actor Rockmond Dunbar in his legal fight with Disney-owned 20th Television over his departure from “9-1-1.” The decision ends his claim that he was wrongfully terminated for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine due to his religious beliefs, Variety reports.
Dunbar sued in 2022, arguing that the studio discriminated against him based on his race and religion. He maintained that he requested both medical and religious exemptions from Disney’s vaccine policy, but said those requests were denied. Dunbar explained at the time that he “applied for religious and medical accommodations pursuant to the law and unfortunately was denied by [his] employer.”
In his complaint, the actor stated that producers initially assured him he would remain on the show and that scheduling changes could accommodate his vaccination status. However, he said the studio failed to honor that arrangement and instead portrayed him as being anti-vaccine. His character, Michael Grant, was written out of “9-1-1” after the vaccine mandate took effect in 2021.
During the trial, Dunbar testified that his opposition to the vaccine was rooted in his faith. “Man created the COVID-19 vaccine to separate you from God,” he told the court. “This is a spiritual war. This is a war of evil against good. I stood on the side of good. I stood on the side of God. I stood on the shoulders of God.”
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Disney’s attorney, Maria Rodriguez, argued that Dunbar’s actions conflicted with his stated beliefs. She pointed to his use of synthetic testosterone and anastrozole, substances labeled “sacrilegious” by the leader of his spiritual group, Congregation of Universal Wisdom. Rodriguez also noted a list of 37 medications he has taken.
The actor described his time on “9-1-1” as the pinnacle of his career. “It was a dream job,” he said. “It was like winning the lottery.” Since his firing, Dunbar said he has struggled both financially and personally, testifying, “I’m underwater. I’ve spent my entire retirement. This has taken my life into a hole financially that I will never be able to get out of.”
Dunbar said his decision to reject the vaccine was one of spiritual conviction. “Take my cars, my money — I don’t care. You have to leave here with your soul intact,” he said. “This is my spiritual test and I passed.” He told jurors he is “not an anti-vaxxer.”
He also asserted that “the vaccine has killed more people than COVID-19,” that it contains “disease,” and that “six foreign objects have been found in the Pfizer vaccine that cannot be identified under a microscope.”
Upon hearing the verdict, Dunbar shouted, “Oh my God! Oh my God! Oh my God!” before turning to his family and saying, “I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry. We’ll be okay.”
In a statement, 20th Television said, “We are pleased with today’s verdict, which affirms that 20th Television acted fairly and lawfully toward Mr. Dunbar.”
MORE NEWS ON EURWEB.COM: Actor Rockmond Dunbar Sues Disney & Fox TV Over Vaccine Mandate Firing
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