Three Musicians Sue North Carolina Symphony Over Vaccine Mandate

In Monday’s (9/4) CBS 17 (Raleigh, NC), Amalia Roy writes, “Three musicians from the North Carolina Symphony filed a federal lawsuit last week against their former employer over their COVID-19 vaccine mandate. [Violinist] Dovid Friedlander, [French horn player] Christopher Caudill, and [French horn player] Rachel Niketopoulos say they were fired for trying to exercise their freedom of religion…. Friedlander, Caudill, and Niketopoulos filed a federal complaint Thursday against the symphony, its president, the CEO, and the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. The three claim they could not get vaccinated without compromising their religious beliefs. ‘In terms of what we’re pursuing—it’s back wages, punitive damages, lost compensation emotional suffering that has been caused by this decision. And, ultimately, reinstatement to the orchestra,’ said James Lawrence, the musicians’ attorney. A spokeswoman from the North Carolina Symphony told CBS 17: ‘Since the pandemic began, our priority has been to protect the health and safety of our musicians and staff, consistent with federal and state health guidelines and informed by the policies of other symphonies. That approach led us to implement a vaccination requirement … Our policies and actions have been consistent with applicable law and we look forward to responding at the appropriate time in court.’ ”