Rockmond Dunbar Loses ‘Disparate Impact’ Claim In Lawsuit Against Disney For Discrimination Over Vaccine Mandate That Led To ‘9-1-1’ Exit – Update
UPDATE: Disney and 20th Television no longer face a disparate impact claim in a lawsuit brought by actor Rockmond Dunbar.
A federal judge ruled that Dunbar’s dismissal from the drama series for refusing to get the COVID-19 vaccine can’t claim disparate impact because no other members of his Universal Wisdom church have been affected by the reason for his job loss.
He had claimed a religious exemption, saying the firms discriminated against church members. Disney and 20th still face 10 other claims that include racial and religious discrimination, breach of contract, and retaliation. “He still cannot identify any other Universal Wisdom followers who have been adversely affected by Defendants’ vaccination policy,” reads the order from U.S.
District Judge Dolly Gee.The judge’s decision can be found here. EARLIER: Rockmond Dunbar, who abruptly exited his role on Fox’s hit drama series 9-1-1 in November over Covid vaccine mandates on the show, has sued the series’ production company 20th Television and its parent Disney claiming the studio engaged in discrimination, including mocking his religious beliefs, barring him from the set and hampering his ability to get other work.Dunbar, who played Michael, the ex-husband of Angela Bassett’s character, on the drama series from its inception, was abruptly was written off in November.
