AMC Theaters Apologizes to Civil Rights Leader for Disabling Chair Incident

AMC Theaters has issued an apology to Reverend William J. Barber II, a prominent civil rights leader, after he was escorted out of a theater in Greenville, North Carolina. The incident occurred when employees refused to allow him to use a chair he needs to manage a painful medical condition. Barber, 60, had attended a Tuesday afternoon screening of "The Color Purple" with his 90-year-old mother, Eleanor Barber.

According to Barber, he attempted to use the chair, which was carried by an assistant, in an area designated for handicapped seating. He stated that he had used the chair in various theaters, Broadway plays, and even during a visit to the White House. However, a theater employee informed him that the chair did not comply with the guidelines outlined in the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Subsequently, theater employees called the Greenville police and requested that Barber either leave or be charged with trespassing.

Barber agreed to leave the theater without any charges being filed. A video of the encounter, shared by Barber with The New York Times, shows a police officer escorting him out of the theater and apologizing for the way the situation unfolded. His mother remained in the theater and watched the movie with an assistant.

In response to the incident, AMC Theaters released a statement apologizing to Barber for the way he was treated and the inconvenience caused to him and his family. The statement also mentioned that AMC's CEO, Adam Aron, had spoken with Barber over the phone and that the two planned to meet in Greenville the following week. Both AMC Theaters and the Greenville Police Department declined to comment on the matter.

Barber suffers from a condition called ankylosing spondylitis, which causes chronic pain and affects his mobility. He described the disease as a constant battle and emphasized the importance of disabled individuals being able to participate fully in society.

Barber expressed gratitude for the immediate apology from Aron and looked forward to their meeting. He also mentioned positive conversations with the police chief and expressed doubt that the police officers wanted to be involved in the incident.

Maria Town, the president and CEO of the American Association of People with Disabilities, found the response from the theater staff perplexing. She highlighted the discrimination that people with disabilities face daily and the physical barriers they encounter, which should not exist according to the ADA.

The Americans with Disabilities Act, signed in 1990, is a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination and requires accommodation in public places. Movie theaters are included in the list of establishments covered by the ADA.

Barber gained national recognition in the 2010s for leading protests against a North Carolina voter ID law that was later deemed unconstitutional. He is known for his involvement in rallies, marches, and civil disobedience actions.

The incident has sparked a conversation about the rights of disabled individuals and the need for greater awareness and accommodation. Barber plans to address the situation further in a news conference scheduled for Friday.