International- A Black family is suing Sesame Place for $25 million, alleging racial discrimination.
- They said the park's performers refused to interact with their daughter because of her race.
A Black family has filed a $25 million class action lawsuit against Sesame Place Philadelphia, alleging that the theme park engaged in "pervasive and appalling race discrimination" against their 5-year-old daughter.
The lawsuit was submitted on Wednesday by Baltimore resident Quinton Burns, who had taken his daughter to the Sesame Street theme park on June 18, according to court documents seen by Insider.
Burns said his daughter was noticeably ignored by multiple costumed employees at the theme park, who conversely engaged with many white children, the documents said.
"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, per ABC News.
According to the outlet, the family said they would release a video of the encounter with the Sesame Place employees.
Burns' lawsuit said his family had entered into a contract with Sesame Place by buying tickets to the theme park and that the alleged racial discrimination meant the contract had been breached based on race, per the filing.
In response to queries on the lawsuit, Sesame Place told Insider in a statement: "We will review the lawsuit filed on behalf of Mr. Burns. We look forward to addressing that claim through the established legal process. We are committed to deliver an inclusive, equitable and entertaining experience for all our guests."
The suit also highlighted other instances of Black children being ignored by Sesame Place performers that were caught on video.
The lawsuit comes as Sesame Place faces a backlash over several videos showing a performer dressed as the Sesame Street character Rosita apparently refusing to high-five two young Black girls.
The theme park apologized and said the performer hadn't been waving away the girls but had gestured towards everyone in the crowd instead.