LA Comic Con has removed the vendor Vic Mignogna was going to have his signing at (Courtesy of @Farmer Y):
https://twitter.com/comicconla/status/1466871610791628805
archived 3 Dec 2021 23:10:38 UTC
archive.ph
It should be noted on the LA Comic Con guest list were noted KickVic affiliated voice actors Amanda Winn-Lee, Sean Chiplock, Dawn M. Bennett, Cassandra Lee Morris, and DC Douglas:
archived 2 Dec 2021 11:12:39 UTC
archive.md
I think they mean
Vic is no longer attending, not the exhibitor. Either way it seems like there could be liability in one of two situations: if Vic had an at-will contract (one which could be terminated by either Vic or the exhibitor at any time for any or no reason) AND the convention engaged in independently wrongful conduct by preventing Vic from attending, OR if the contract between Vic and the exhibitor had been formally drafted such that it required cause for either of them to terminate (in which case the convention's action would NOT need to be independently wrongful).
It's clear that the exhibitor had made an agreement with Vic. Even if all they had were some text messages or emails setting up the appearance, that'd be a valid contract in California. Assuming Vic had purchased a ticket, he also had a contract with the convention (a ticket
is a type of contract). Although the convention likely had a reasonable ability to void Vic's ticket if they came up with any halfway plausible reason (just like it could eject any other attendee), doing so specifically for the purpose of interfering with the fulfillment of a contract between Vic and the exhibitor (which they knew about) may have been an act of Intentional Interference with a Contractual Relationship.
If the agreement Vic had was nothing more than some emails and a "yeah sure, that sounds great," it'd likely be an "at-will" contract, and then Vic would have to show that the convention's voiding his ticket was independently wrongful. That'd be tough, although doing so at such late notice definitely seems like it's unreasonably burdensome (Vic's already had to pay for transportation and accommodations in addition to the ticket). If they reserve the right to exclude an attendee due to character-based allegations, it really seems like there should be
some duty for them to do so in a timely investigation as opposed to "randos are yelling at us on Twitter, ban him"
the day of the show. Sure, he wasn't an invited
guest, but
they sold him a ticket to attend, just to
be there.
California has a strong anti-SLAPP law, but it only covers the rights of petition and speech. It'd definitely cover anything that the convention might have
said about Vic (and also any tweets at them from fat mads like Marz), but I'm not sure it would be applicable to a case where the act that interfered with the contract was termination of a separate contract (cancellation of Vic's ticket).
Is there a case? Likely fact-specific and depends on what exactly had been agreed between Vic and the exhibitor. Would it be worth pursuing? I'd say probably not, unless the facts look
really good... in which case it might be worth keeping it in a back pocket just in case an appeals decision comes back reversing any of the dismissals of his Texas lawsuit's claims.
Regardless, these cunts and dickheads should be fucking napalmed for getting Vic banned
the day of the show after he's paid for tickets, travel, and hotel. If I was Vic I'd be tempted to fucking tell the cops that the con was throwing me out because of my religion just to cause a big scene and hopefully ruin someone else's fucking day.