A federal jury issued a landmark ruling on October 25, requiring the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) system to pay over $7.8 million to six former employees. The employees had requested religious exemptions regarding the COVID-19 vaccine, all of which BART denied, leading to their eventual termination.

The jury, consisting of eight members, reached a unanimous verdict after two days of deliberation, determining that BART violated the religious freedom rights of these employees. Each former employee is set to receive over $1 million in compensation. The Pacific Justice Institute (PJI) has represented these employees since 2022, and this victory holds significant weight not only for the individuals involved but also for potential similar cases across the nation.

The jury found that BART could not substantiate claims that granting the exemptions would cause “undue hardship.” They also validated the employees’ testimony, which demonstrated that the vaccine mandate conflicted with their beliefs. Furthermore, the jury agreed with the economic expert for the plaintiffs, awarding an additional $1 million for each employee’s losses.

During the trial, jurors heard testimonies from employees, revealing that some had served for over 30 years and maintained perfect attendance records, only to be fired for refusing the vaccine. BART contended that the refusals were based on reasons other than religious beliefs, but the jury rejected this argument.

PJI President Brad Dacus described the ruling as “an earthquake in the San Francisco legal community,” praising the efforts of both the legal team and the plaintiffs.

PJI Chief Counsel Kevin Snider remarked, “These employees chose to prioritize their faith over their jobs, which speaks volumes about their convictions.” He noted that after three years of struggle, the employees finally feel understood and supported.

Frank Lee, a leader in the Bay Area’s Chinese community, emphasized that this significant case serves as a wake-up call, stating, “Religious freedom and exemption rights must be respected.”

Currently, PJI continues to represent hundreds of employees nationwide who were terminated due to vaccine exemption denials, and this ruling could serve as a pivotal reference for similar cases.

As of the time of reporting, there has been no response from the BART organization.