Current:Home > MyMarlon Wayans says he is being unfairly prosecuted after being by racially targeted by gate agent-InfoLens
Marlon Wayans says he is being unfairly prosecuted after being by racially targeted by gate agent
View Date:2024-12-23 16:08:08
DENVER (AP) — Actor and comedian Marlon Wayans says he is being unfairly prosecuted for disturbing the peace over a dispute with an airline employee who he alleges targeted him because of his race.
Attorneys for Wayans, who is Black, made the allegations in a court filing Thursday that asked for dismissal of the case stemming from a luggage dispute at Denver’s airport.
Wayans was cited for disturbing the peace, a municipal violation, in June, police said. According to the court filing, a United Airlines gate agent told him he could not get on a flight to Kansas City with three bags. The gate agent apparently tried to physically block Wayans from getting on the flight after he consolidated his luggage into two bags to conform with airline policy, the filing said. He boarded anyway and was later asked to get off the plane before it departed.
While Wayans worked to rearrange his luggage, the gate agent kept allowing white passengers with three bags to board the flight, according to the court filing, which included still photos of surveillance video of white passengers with yellow arrows pointing to each of their bags. About 140 people boarded the flight, it said, many with three bags and oversized bags which violated the airline’s policy.
Wayans’ lawyers say the gate agent racially discriminated against him and that Denver prosecutors, by continuing to pursue charges against him, are perpetuating that discrimination and denying his right to equal protection under the law.
“The City of Denver’s position is an affront to constitutional and social equity principles,” Wayans’ lawyers said.
A telephone message and an email to the city attorney’s office was not immediately returned. United did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment.
In a statement issued by United in June to questions about what happened to Wayans, the airline said an unnamed customer “pushed past” an employee at the jet bridge and attempted to board the plane.
According to statements recorded on police body camera and cited in the filing, the gate agent told officers that Wayans “shoved” “pushed” or “elbowed” him as the comedian boarded the plane, which Wayans’ lawyers say is a lie. They say Wayans may have brushed shoulders with the agent as he boarded.
The police officers who investigated were doubtful that any crime had been committed, according to the filing, but the gate agent asked that charges be pursued.
veryGood! (1513)
Related
- Diamond Sports Group can emerge out of bankruptcy after having reorganization plan approved
- Small biz owners scale back their office space or go remote altogether. Some move to the suburbs
- North Korean cruise missile tests add to country’s provocative start to 2024
- Let's do this again, shall we? Chiefs, 49ers running it back in Super Bowl 58
- Isiah Pacheco injury updates: When will Chiefs RB return?
- Britney Spears Shows Support for Justin Timberlake After Release of New Single
- Lions are being forced to change the way they hunt. It's all because of a tiny invasive ant, scientists say.
- Zebras, camels, pony graze Indiana highway after being rescued from semi-truck fire: Watch
- Powell says Fed will likely cut rates cautiously given persistent inflation pressures
- Scientists can tell how fast you're aging. Now, the trick is to slow it down
Ranking
- Is Veterans Day a federal holiday? Here's what to know for November 11
- Demand for minerals sparks fear of mining abuses on Indigenous peoples' lands
- A Costco mirror, now a Sam's Club bookcase: What to know about the latest online dupe
- A Rolex seller meets up with a Facebook Marketplace thief. It goes all wrong from there
- Gun groups sue to overturn Maine’s new three-day waiting period to buy firearms
- Halle Bailey Fiercely Defends Decision to Keep Her Pregnancy Private
- Protesting farmers tighten squeeze on France’s government with ‘siege’ of Olympic host city Paris
- Japan PM Kishida is fighting a party corruption scandal. Here’s a look at what it’s about
Recommendation
-
Rare Alo Yoga Flash Sale: Don’t Miss 60% Off Deals With Styles as Low as $5
-
'Vanderpump Rules,' 'Scandoval' and a fight that never ends
-
'Vanderpump Rules,' 'Scandoval' and a fight that never ends
-
Report: California officers shot in ambush were not verbally warned that suspect had gun, was on PCP
-
Mark Zuckerberg Records NSFW Song Get Low for Priscilla Chan on Anniversary
-
Chiefs vs. Ravens highlights: How KC locked up its second consecutive AFC championship
-
Nelly Korda defeats Lydia Ko in sudden-death playoff to capture LPGA Drive On Championship
-
Watch: Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce share celebratory kiss after Chiefs win AFC championship