Ten people were taken into custody by the New York Police Department's Strategic Response Group at the AMC Empire 25 movie theater in midtown Manhattan Monday night. Independent journalist Leeroy Johnson was reportedly among those arrested.
According to police, a group entered the theater on West 42nd street theater at approximately 6:30 pm and after being arrested were awaiting charges as of Monday night.
#BREAKING : Multiple Anti-Mandate activists arrested by NYPD's Strategic Response Group, including a credentialed independent journalist LeeroyPress. The arrests happened at a Sit-In demonstration inside the AMC movie theater near Times Square in NYC.#Mandates #VaccineMandate pic.twitter.com/EQ0hpATJAW
— LUKE2FREEDOM (@L2FTV) February 8, 2022
Johnson can be seen in a video outside the theater saying, "They are arresting the press for doing their job. Believe that sh*t? They know I’m press…with no warning, they said I could stay before."
Last month, Johnson, who has been covering events across the country, but most prominently the anti-vaccine mandate protests in New York City, was suspended from Twitter.
Johnson told The Post Millennial at the time that Twitter "gave me no reason at all" regarding his suspension. "I just logged in and it said my account was suspended."
A large portion of Johnson's work is based in New York City, where he has been documenting the numerous anti-vaccine mandate protests across the city, including ones done in public and ones done inside of businesses.
#happeningnow In #NYC
— Viral News NY (@ViralNewsNYC) February 7, 2022
Activist against mandates attempt to see a #movies at a V only movie theater , security came and stated they will call the #NYPD on them. Stand by for more information and #updates pic.twitter.com/uBmzUrpKCx
According to AMC’s website, Empire 25 requires all guests ages 5 and older to show proof of vaccination. Masks are recommended for all guests, can be taken off while eating and drinking, but should be worn while walking around the building.
Current New York City guidelines require anyone who wants to attend an indoor event or eat an indoor restaurant be vaccinated.
Arrested for going to the #movies without a #vaxpass! We paid for tickets, yet were "trespassing." Everyone in the room was #arrested ? including two members of the press and two customers who had shown their vax passes.#theater #segregation #civilrights #NYPD #police #arrest pic.twitter.com/GbbfJh4xUC
— Mi©haelanthony (@themeatofit) February 8, 2022
Videos outside the AMC showed NYPD officers escorting people out of the theater as the protesters chanted, "My body, my choice. The vaccine you won’t force."
Another video, taken inside one of the theaters, showed protesters sitting maskless and refusing to leave. One protester said to an officer, "I hope that you guys get inspired by that and stand up with us because this is going to the Supreme Court."
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