Introduction to the Case
A jury has rejected the claim of "9-1-1" actor Rockmond Dunbar, who alleged that he was fired from the series due to his religious beliefs against COVID-19 vaccination. The eight-member federal jury unanimously decided in favor of 20th Television, which is owned by Disney.
The Verdict and Reaction
As the verdict was read, Dunbar was visibly upset, putting his head in his hands and shouting, "Oh my god! Oh my god! Oh my god!" He then turned to his wife and children in the gallery and apologized, saying, "I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry. We’ll be fine." This emotional reaction underscored the significance of the case for Dunbar, both personally and professionally.
Background of the Case
Dunbar sued 20th Television in 2022, claiming that the production did not accommodate his belief in the principles of the Congregation of Universal Wisdom, which opposes vaccines and other medical interventions. His character, Michael Grant, was removed from the series in 2021 after the company imposed a vaccination requirement on cast and crew members.
Testimony and Arguments
During the four-day trial in Los Angeles, Dunbar testified that he believed the COVID vaccine was harmful and went against God’s teachings. He stated, "Man created the COVID-19 vaccine to separate you from God," and described the situation as a "spiritual war" where he stood on the side of good and God. Disney’s lawyers, however, argued that Dunbar lacked credibility, pointing out that he routinely takes synthetic testosterone and anastrozole, which the head of the Congregation of Universal Wisdom called “sacrilege.”
Credibility and Medication Use
Dunbar admitted to not being "perfect" and acknowledged taking 37 different medications, which Disney’s lawyers used to question his consistency in adhering to his religious beliefs. This line of argument suggested that Dunbar’s actions and beliefs might not align as closely as he claimed, potentially undermining his case.
Financial Impact and Career
Dunbar testified that he earned $100,000 per episode and was even paid for episodes in which his character did not appear, describing his role as a "dream job" that was like "winning the lottery." However, since his release from the show, he has had difficulty finding work and claimed to be in a financial hole, stating, "I’m underwater. I’ve spent my entire retirement."
Spiritual Beliefs and Vaccination Stance
Despite the challenges, Dunbar reiterated his commitment to his spiritual beliefs, saying, "Take my cars, my money – I don’t care. You have to leave here with your soul intact." He also clarified that he is not an "anti-vaxxer" but testified that his children have not received any vaccinations. Additionally, he expressed beliefs that the vaccine had killed more people than COVID-19 and contained harmful components, claims that were disputed by medical experts.
Medical Expert Testimony
Disney’s lawyers called Dr. Glenn Braunstein, who advised the company during the pandemic, to testify that none of the vaccines contain live disease or fetal cells. He also addressed the claim about foreign bodies in the Pfizer vaccine, calling it "nonsense" and "a ridiculous concept." This expert testimony aimed to counter Dunbar’s claims about the vaccine’s safety and composition.
Conclusion and Aftermath
In the end, the jury’s decision favored 20th Television, with the company stating, "We are pleased with today’s verdict, which confirms that 20th Television acted fairly and lawfully toward Mr. Dunbar." Dunbar, however, remained steadfast in his beliefs, saying outside the court, "God still won today." The case highlights the complexities of balancing personal religious beliefs with workplace requirements and the challenges of navigating such issues in a legal context.
