ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — A Universal Orlando actor who was dressed as movie character “Gru” has been fired for making an “OK” hand gesture that has been designated a hate symbol used by white supremacists in a photo with a biracial girl.
A family is shaken and looking for answers after they say a Universal Orlando actor displayed a hateful gesture in a vacation photo and video. https://t.co/vObr2qoKLr
— Florida Today (@Florida_Today) October 2, 2019
Universal spokesman Tom Schroder on Wednesday confirmed in an email that the unidentified actor no longer works for the company. Schroder says what the actor did is unacceptable.
RELATED: 'OK' is now a hate symbol, the ADL says
A photo provided by the 6-year-old girl’s parents to Florida Today shows the actor fully disguised as “Gru” from the “Despicable Me” movie franchise standing behind the girl with a hand making the “OK” gesture on her shoulder.
Her parents say the photo was taken at a character breakfast.
The “OK” gesture was added last week to the Anti-Defamation League’s online database of hate symbols.
