Today, UnifySB, an association of Santa Barbara teachers, coaches, and staff, was successful in protecting its members’ constitutional and civil rights against the Santa Barbara Unified School District (SBUSD).

On September 23, 2021, SBUSD voted into effect a vaccine mandate that would require all staff to be vaccinated against COVID-19 or face termination. The members of UnifySB could not comply with this mandate because of their sincerely held religious beliefs. As a result, they filed for religious exemptions to SBUSD’s draconian mandate.

In response, however, on October 27, 2021, “SBUSD gave its employees two choices: (1) take the COVID-19 vaccine against their wishes and civil rights; or (2) be placed on unpaid leave starting on December 17, 2021, then terminated on March 25, 2022. However, the members of UnifySB, chose a third option: to fight for their rights in the court of law,” said Tony Black, attorney for UnifySB.

On the eve of UnifySB filing their complaint and after filing for a right to sue under the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), SBUSD mailed out an amended accommodation offer—this time, it was more reasonable. Per the agreement, employees of the SBUSD were offered to keep their employment if they agree to engage in the twice weekly COVID testing, wear a N95 mask while at work, and social distance whenever practicable.

“This is a huge win for the employees of SBUSD but more importantly for the Constitution and Civil Rights of UnifySB members. Although we’re in a pandemic, we must not forget to act while respecting individual liberties. Upholding the rule of law, even when it’s scary and hard to do so, is what makes America special,” said Tony Black, who also added that he, himself is fully vaccinated.

Press Release

Tyler & Bursch, LLP / Advocates for Faith & Freedom, Unifysb
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, November 9, 2021

Contact: Robert Tyler at 951-600-2733
media@tylerbursch.com

For Immediate Release 11/09/2021, Los Angeles, California –Today, UnifySB, an association of Santa Barbara teachers, coaches, and staff, was successful in protecting its members’ constitutional and civil rights against the Santa Barbara Unified School District (SBUSD).

On September 23, 2021, SBUSD voted into effect a vaccine mandate that would require all staff to be vaccinated against COVID-19 or face termination. The members of UnifySB could not comply with this mandate because of their sincerely held religious beliefs. As a result, they filed for religious exemptions to SBUSD’s draconian mandate.

In response, however, on October 27, 2021, “SBUSD gave its employees two choices: (1) take the COVID-19 vaccine against their wishes and civil rights; or (2) be placed on unpaid leave starting on December 17, 2021, then terminated on March 25, 2022. However, the members of UnifySB, chose a third option: to fight for their rights in the court of law,” said Tony Black, attorney for UnifySB.

On the eve of UnifySB filing their complaint and after filing for a right to sue under the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), SBUSD mailed out an amended accommodation offer—this time, it was more reasonable. Per the agreement, employees of the SBUSD were offered to keep their employment if they agree to engage in the twice weekly COVID testing, wear a N95 mask while at work, and social distance whenever practicable.

“This is a huge win for the employees of SBUSD but more importantly for the Constitution and Civil Rights of UnifySB members. Although we’re in a pandemic, we must not forget to act while respecting individual liberties. Upholding the rule of law, even when it’s scary and hard to do so, is what makes America special,” said Tony Black, who also added that he, himself is fully vaccinated.

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For additional comments and interviews, please email Mariah Gondeiro at media@faith-freedom.com or call 951-304-7583.

About Advocates for Faith & Freedom (www.faith-freedom.com): Advocates for Faith & Freedom is a non-profit law firm dedicated to protecting constitutional and religious liberty in the courts. Our mission is to engage in cases that will uphold our religious liberty and America’s heritage and to educate Americans about our fundamental constitutional rights.

About UnifySB: The goal of UnifySB is to stand for the rights and liberties of all SBUSD staff and students - striking a reasonable balance between the integrity of science, individual rights, and the importance of a safe campus community for all.

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