Marlon Wayans Says He Is Being Unfairly Prosecuted After Being Racially Targeted By Gate Agent

DENVER—— Comedian and actor Marlon Wayans asserts that he is being unjustly prosecuted for causing commotion during a dispute with an airline employee who, according to him, singled him out based on his ethnicity.

The allegations were made in a court filing on Thursday by Wayans’s attorneys, who are African American. The filing sought dismissal of the case, which originated from a luggage dispute at Denver’s airport.

Police stated that Wayans was issued a citation for disturbing the peace, a municipal infraction, in June. The court filing indicates that a United Airlines gate agent denied him boarding on a flight to Kansas City due to the presence of three bags of luggage. According to the filing, the gate agent attempted to forcibly prevent Wayans from boarding the flight after he consolidated his luggage into two bags by airline policy. Despite this, he boarded the aircraft and was instructed to disembark before its departure.

As Wayans attempted to reorganise his belongings, the court filing alleged that the gate agent permitted white passengers carrying three bags to board the flight. The court filing also included still images of surveillance video showing white passengers with yellow arrows indicating each bag. An estimated 140 passengers boarded the aircraft, many carrying oversized or three-bag cases, which is against the airline’s policy.

Marlon Wayans Says He Is Being Unfairly Prosecuted After Being Racially Targeted By Gate Agent

Wayan’s attorneys assert that the gate agent subjected him to racial discrimination and that Denver prosecutors are perpetuating that discrimination and denying him equal protection under the law by continuing to pursue charges against him.

Wayans’ attorneys stated, “The City of Denver’s position is an affront to constitutional and social equity principles.”

The city attorney, Kerry Tipper, stated that her office does not comment on pending cases. United failed to respond to an email requesting a comment at the outset.

Wayans’ attorneys stated, “The City of Denver’s position is an affront to constitutional and social equity principles.”

United stated in a June statement in response to inquiries regarding the whereabouts of Wayans that an unidentified passenger “pushed past” a United employee at the jet bridge and attempted to enter the aircraft.

The filing cites statements captured on police body camera and attributed to the gate agent who allegedly reported to officers that Wayans “pushed,” “shoved,” or “elbowed” him while boarding the aircraft. However, Wayan’s attorneys contend that these statements are false. Wayans may have exchanged glances with the agent as he boarded, according to them.

According to the filing, the investigating police officers were skeptical that a crime had been committed; however, the gate agent requested that charges be brought.

SOURCE – (AP)