Rockmond Dunbar, a cast member from the series “9-1-1,” is scheduled to stand trial on Tuesday regarding his allegations of being terminated based on his religious convictions which prevented him from receiving the COVID-19 vaccine.
Dunbar’s character, Michael Grant, was removed from the show in November 2021, just after production mandates required vaccination against COVID-19 for actors and staff. He claims affiliation with the Congregation of Universal Wisdom, which teaches that using chemicals that contradict “natural law” is sinful.
Meanwhile, Disney‘s 20th Television maintains that Dunbar fabricated a religious rationale to evade the vaccine mandate. Evidence obtained during pre-trial indicated that Dunbar had used various medications, including steroids for shoulder injuries, and had been receiving testosterone injections from “The Man Clinic” since 2018.
This trial serves as a stark reminder of the tumultuous COVID period, when Hollywood unions established intricate health protocols like regular testing and various distancing measures for different production areas.
By 2023, many had expressed their frustrations with these rules, which had ultimately been repealed.
During the trial, Disney’s legal team will aim to avoid revisiting the COVID protocols. They plan to state that they respect Dunbar’s individual choice, but they will contest whether that choice is rooted in genuine religious belief.
Under the Civil Rights Act of 1964, employers must accommodate their employees’ religious practices reasonably.
The Congregation of Universal Wisdom was established by Dr. Walter Schilling, a chiropractor from New Jersey, in 1975. Its members have historically utilized the teachings of the church to circumvent school vaccination mandates.
Though Schilling, 82, was expected to appear in court, his health has prevented travel to Los Angeles. His prior depositions will likely be shown to the jury instead.
Schilling has indicated that the church does not have a formal place of worship or regular gatherings, and membership can be obtained by application and fee payment.
“Many people in society share our beliefs but lack access to a venue to substantiate those beliefs,” Schilling explained. “The COVID mandates prompted many to join the church.”
He further elaborated that utilizing synthetic testosterone or other prescribed medications would be considered “sacrilegious.”
Dunbar’s legal representatives argue that he holds a “nuanced” belief system that blends CUW with elements of Buddhism and African Yoruba traditions.
“Since at least 2014, the Plaintiff has sincerely believed that vaccines would anchor his soul to this earth, hindering his ascension to God after death,” his attorneys stated in a pre-trial document.
He and his spouse, Maya, are also anticipated to provide testimony, as will Tim Minear, showrunner for “9-1-1.”
Dunbar’s counsel contends that he doesn’t need to be a completely faithful practitioner of CUW for his beliefs to receive legal protection.
He has expressed that he is “not opposed to western medicine that aligns with God’s will or does not obstruct my communication with God.”
Throughout the discovery process, Dunbar did not share the majority of his medical records with Disney’s legal team, who eventually acquired information from 44 different providers, including Dr. Fong from The Man Clinic. Dr. Fong administered bi-weekly testosterone injections alongside anastrozole, a chemotherapy drug that mitigates breast tissue development, a known side effect of testosterone treatment.
Judge Dolly Gee criticized Dunbar for his “egregious” failure to disclose relevant evidence.
Dunbar’s legal team attempted to prevent his medical records from being used in court, arguing their irrelevance, but the judge disagreed.
“Dunbar’s medical history contains actions that contradict the principles of the CUW faith,” she ruled. “This information is crucial for assessing the credibility of whether Dunbar’s convictions are sincere or merely opportunistic.”
When questioned during his deposition about how he determined that the vaccine contradicted his belief system while other treatments were acceptable, Dunbar responded he had “consulted God.”
“I believe God warned all individuals before they sat down or as they were about to receive the vaccine not to do so,” Dunbar remarked. “Those who chose to go ahead failed their spiritual test.”
Judge Gee has dismissed several of Dunbar’s other legal claims but entrusted the jury with the decision about the sincerity of his beliefs. Efforts to resolve the case before trial proved unsuccessful.
