by Michael Nevradakis, Ph.D., Childrens Health Defense:
Three former National Basketball Association referees this week sued the league alleging they were fired for refusing to receive COVID-19 vaccines on religious grounds. Meanwhile, Australian officials will allow Novak Djokovic, previously barred from the country for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine, to play in the Australian Open in January.
Three former National Basketball Association (NBA) referees this week sued the NBA alleging the league fired them for refusing to receive COVID-19 vaccines on religious grounds.
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In their complaint, filed Monday in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, Mark Ayotte, Ken Mauer and Jason Phillips — who have a combined 71 years’ worth of NBA officiating experience — accused the NBA of violating federal civil rights law and New York State and New York City human rights laws.
The lawsuit alleges the “jab or job ultimatum” instituted by the league for the 2021-2022 season — and which was not applicable to players — led to their suspensions for that season.
Then, despite the NBA’s decision to rescind the mandate for the 2022-2023 season, the league fired them.
The plaintiffs are requesting a jury trial, compensatory damages and punitive damages for front and back pay, emotional pain and suffering, reputational damage and attorneys’ fees.
Meanwhile, one prominent athlete who was barred from several high-profile competitions this year due to his unvaccinated status reportedly will be allowed to compete in next year’s edition of one such competition.
Serbian tennis star Novak Djokovic, who previously held the world’s No. 1 ranking, was barred for three years from entering Australia just prior to the 2022 Australian Open because he refused to get the COVID-19 vaccine.
However, Australian authorities this week granted Djokovic a visa so he can compete in the 2023 competition, to be held Jan. 16-29.
Remarking on the news, Mary Holland, president and general counsel of Children’s Health Defense, told The Defender:
“It is welcome news that Australia is allowing in tennis star Novak Djokovic and that referees fired because they are unvaccinated are demanding justice from the NBA.
“Pandemic regulations and policies continue to unravel as their absurdity becomes clear. The glimmer of truth and justice grows brighter by the day.”
In September, Djokovic also missed the U.S. Open in New York City, due to the Biden administration’s continued entry ban for unvaccinated foreigners.
Prior to the U.S. Open, he stated “I’m not vaccinated and I’m not planning to get vaccinated,” while he previously said that missing tournaments was a “price that I’m willing to pay.”
Djokovic has also previously expressed his support for “the freedom to choose what you put in your body.”
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