Renowned civil rights leader Bishop William J. Barber II and the NAACP North Carolina are urging AMC Theatres to enhance accessibility for patrons with disabilities following a recent incident. Bishop Barber, who battles ankylosing spondylitis, a form of arthritis impacting the spine, was escorted out of an AMC movie theater on Tuesday when he brought his own chair to the accessible section to watch "The Color Purple" with his 90-year-old mother.
Expressing his disappointment at a press conference, Barber highlighted that the movie outing, intended as a gift for his mother, took an unexpected turn when AMC managers in Greenville opted to involve the police instead of accommodating his visible disability. Theater staff claimed the chair posed a fire hazard and refused its use, prompting a call to law enforcement.
Barber, a former NAACP North Carolina chapter president, initially resisted leaving, emphasizing that he has encountered no issues with his chair at other venues. "My chair has been everywhere," he stated, underscoring the necessity arising from his debilitating arthritic condition, preventing him from using wheelchairs or low chairs. He asserted that he was denied reasonable accommodations at the theater.
In response to the incident, AMC Entertainment Holdings' Chairman and CEO, Adam Aron, has reached out to Barber, offering a meeting in Greenville next week. The NAACP North Carolina State Conference emphasized the incident as a stark reminder of the imperative to enhance inclusivity. While AMC issued an apology, the organization stressed the urgent need for concrete steps to ensure accessibility across all AMC theaters nationwide. The NAACP stands united in advocating for accessibility and justice, emphasizing that discrimination based on physical abilities has no place in society.
In the wake of the recent incident involving civil rights leader Bishop William J. Barber II at an AMC movie theater, the NAACP North Carolina has initiated an online petition, pressing for improved accessibility and sustained changes within AMC Theatres. The petition aims to amplify the call for inclusivity, urging the theater chain to address concerns raised by Bishop Barber's ejection due to his personal chair.
Bishop Barber, who faced an unsettling episode at the Greenville AMC theater, is set to conduct a news conference in Greenville on Friday to delve further into the incident. The online petition by the NAACP North Carolina seeks to garner support and draw attention to the importance of making theaters accessible for individuals with disabilities.
As discussions surrounding this incident continue to unfold, the NAACP's proactive stance emphasizes the need for tangible reforms within AMC Theatres to ensure equitable and accessible experiences for all patrons. NPR's Juliana Kim has contributed reporting to shed light on this noteworthy development.
In response to the unsettling incident involving civil rights leader Bishop William J. Barber II at an AMC movie theater, the NAACP North Carolina has taken proactive steps to champion accessibility reforms. Launching an online petition, the organization seeks to harness public support in urging AMC Theatres to adopt lasting changes, ensuring inclusivity for patrons with disabilities.
Bishop Barber's impending news conference in Greenville underscores the determination to address the incident comprehensively. As the dialogue unfolds, the NAACP's commitment to tangible reforms within AMC Theatres echoes a broader call for equitable experiences for all moviegoers.
This incident serves as a catalyst for broader conversations around accessibility, emphasizing the importance of creating spaces that accommodate the diverse needs of individuals. The NAACP's advocacy not only seeks redress for Bishop Barber but also strives to instigate systemic changes, reinforcing the notion that discrimination based on physical abilities has no place in society.
As the NAACP North Carolina continues to spearhead this cause, the spotlight on AMC Theatres intensifies, prompting a critical examination of practices to ensure a more inclusive cinematic experience for all patrons. In collaboration with NPR's Juliana Kim, this development underscores the power of collective action in fostering positive change.
