Black Family Sues Sesame Place Theme Park In US For $25 Million For Racial Discrimination

In the viral video, two Black girls can be seen being avoided by a costumed employee during a parade at the park in Langhorne, outside Philadelphia. 

Two Black girls can be seen being avoided by a costumed employee. (Image: Instagram/@_jodiii__)

In an alleged case of racial discrimination, a Baltimore family in the United States recently alleged that the costumed characters at a Sesame Street-themed amusement park in Philadelphia ignored two Black girls during a meet-and-greet event that took place in the month of June. The family has sued the amusement park for $25 million after a video of the incident went viral on social media, news agency Associated Press reported.

In the viral video, two Black girls can be seen being avoided by a costumed employee during a parade at the park in Langhorne, outside Philadelphia. 

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According to reports, the lawsuite was filed against SeaWorld Parks, the owner of the Sesame Place in a federal court in Philadelphia for alleged "pervasive and appalling race discrimination". 

Soon after the incident came to light, the park administration issued an apology and assured more training for its employees. 

In the lawsuite, the petitioner has claimed that four employees dressed as Sesame Street characters snubbed Quinton Burns, his daughter Kennedi Burns and other Black guests during the meet-and-greet that took place on June 18.  

"She was ignored amongst a sea of other young white children, who were able to interact, give hugs, high-fives, and love from these characters that are supposed to be a source of safety, a source of equity, a source of kindness," Burns' attorney Malcolm Ruff said at a Wednesday press conference, ABC News reported.

It also claimed that the SeaWorld's performers readily engaged with numerous similarly situated white customers.

Addressing a press conference on Wednesday, the attorney of one of the victims called for transparency and action from the amusement park management and also demanded compensation to the Burns family.