Attorney for Sesame Place mom who filmed viral video claims CEO is snubbing family

Nearly two months after a Sesame Place performer allegedly snubbed two Black children, an attorney is claiming the theme park’s CEO is doing the same thing to the woman whose viral video sparked a national outcry against the operators of the popular theme park.

In a statement released Tuesday, though, a Sesame Place spokesperson disputed that the park or its parent company, SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, have ignored Brooklyn resident Jodi Brown and her family.

"Immediately following the incident, we spoke to Ms. Brown, offered an apology, a refund for her entire party, which she accepted, and invited her family back for a special meet-and-greet experience with the characters," the statement said.

The statement also confirmed that a meeting took place last month between civil rights leader Rev. Jesse Jackson and SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment CEO Mark Swanson and at a press conference afterwards "all sides described the meeting as a 'day of progress.'"

"In addition, we requested many times to meet with the Browns face-to-face to receive an apology from our Sesame Place park president and other senior executives, which happened last week," the statement said.

In a press release Friday, Brown's attorney, B’Ivory LaMarr, said that his client plans to proceed with “each and every legal option” available, but did not indicate if a lawsuit is imminent.

Sesame Place and SeaWorld, which owns and operates the park, recently were named as defendants in a discrimination lawsuit that makes similar claims that was recently filed in U.S. Eastern District Court in Philadelphia. Brown is not a party to that lawsuit.

A Baltimore man alleges costumed performers ignored his 5-year-old daughter, who is Black, but interacted with children of other races around her during a Father’s Day visit to the Middletown theme park. Attorneys representing the man are seeking class action status for the case.

The lawsuit was filed shortly after Brown posted her video showing the “Rosita” character allegedly refusing hugs and high-five requests from her 6-year-old daughter and niece during a July 16 visit, but interacting with adults and children of other races around them.

A spokeswoman for Brown's attorney on Tuesday confirmed there are no plans for Brown to join the suit as a member, if it receives class action status.

Since the incident, LaMarr said that his client’s goal has been to work toward an amicable resolution that holds SeaWorld accountable for its treatment of the Browns and provides “sustainable solutions” to improve racial diversity, equity, and inclusion at the park.

More on Sesame Place viral video Attorneys for mom behind Sesame Place video call for park owners to 'do the right thing'

“The character was never the problem, but we believe the character of the company has always been the problem,” LaMarr said. “Our clients are now tired of talking.”

The update from LaMarr was the first since an Aug. 11 meeting between SeaWorld CEO Mark Swanson and Rev. Jackson to discuss solutions for creating more inclusivity, equity and diversity at the park.

But Swanson allegedly refused to speak with the Brown family during the meeting and made them wait in the company’s lobby for hours while he met with Jackson, according to LaMarr. After the August meeting, Swanson promised there would be a mediation within two weeks.

In a follow up meeting last week with SeaWorld executives and leadership from Jackson’s Rainbow PUSH Coalition, the Browns were “finally” able to voice their concerns, but no other action or discussion took place. LaMarr said.

Park officials again extended an invitation for the family to return for a private meeting and greet with Sesame characters, but LaMarr said the family has declined because they believe it would "cause their children to relive their trauma."

Swanson did not attend the second meeting either, LaMarr said, though the CEO previously stated he was willing to "fly anywhere” to meet with the Brown family.

The company also has not provided an update on the employment status of the “Rosita” performer. LaMarr and Brown have demanded the park terminate the performer and make significant changes in park policy and employee training.

“Our clients want to know whether or not this person has been disciplined, terminated or placed in another costume to terrorize other children?” LaMarr said. “Somehow the leadership and Board of Directors of SeaWorld Entertainment believe that this problem can be resolved with an ‘I’m sorry.’”

Sesame Place pledges change after videoSesame Place announces 'comprehensive' anti-bias steps following viral 'Rosita' video controversy

The park operators have faced a firestorm of criticism over the handling of Brown’s claims and allegations of insensitive behavior by employees toward Black guests.  At least two protests calling for a boycott were held outside the park.

Last month, Sesame Place announced that it was implementing new employee anti-bias training and other initiatives to ensure guests and employees feel “safe and welcome.”

By the end of this month, the company has promised all its employees will complete a “substantive training and education program” addressing bias and promoting inclusion. The training is being incorporated into the new employee orientation, training and workforce development.

The park operators also will undertake a comprehensive racial equity assessment, which will include a review of policies, processes and practices that impact guests, employees, suppliers and the community to identify opportunities for improvement.

After the assessment is completed, a team of national diversity, equity and inclusion experts will remain involved to monitor the company’s progress toward reaching its goals.

In the Tuesday statement, Sesame Place said it was continuing to advance those commitments including ensuring by the end of this month employees will have participated in a substantive training and education program "designed to address bias and promote inclusion."

After Brown hired a lawyer and her video went viral, other Black families came forward with similar claims, and videos of children who were apparently ignored by performers dressed in character costumes but then interacted with other guests of different races.

Sesame Place settled 2018 lawsuit Sesame Place settled discrimination lawsuit by Black Muslim family years before viral video

This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Sesame Place viral video mom alleges CEO snubbed her twice in meetings