Renowned civil rights activist Rev. William Barber II held a press conference in Greenville, North Carolina, on Jan. 8, outlining a course of action following his expulsion from a North Carolina movie theater last month, according to ABC11. The incident occurred during a screening of The Color Purple at AMC Fire Tower 12 theater in Greenville when Barber, who suffers from ankylosing spondylitis, a form of arthritis, was asked to leave after bringing his own stool to the venue.
In response to the incident, Barber introduced national civil rights attorney Harry Daniels during the press conference. Daniels, who will oversee the investigation into the matter, emphasized a goal of training rather than seeking termination of involved parties.
“We’re not in the position of wanting people terminated or fired; that doesn’t serve our overall desired purpose, but we can get them trained so maybe they can train others,” Daniels said during the conference.
Also accompanying Barber were advocates from the American Association of People with Disabilities, highlighting the broader context of the incident in relation to disability rights.
Barber had previously met with Adam Aron, president of AMC Theaters, on Jan. 2 in Greenville. Following the meeting, Barber expressed encouragement but also
stressed the importance of broader considerations beyond his individual experience. He stated, “This isn’t about William Barber or one night in December. It’s about the law. It’s about treating every man, woman, and child who has disabilities with compassion and dignity.”AMC Theaters issued an apology to Barber for its mishandling of the incident. Daniels characterized it as a race issue and a human rights issue. He urged empathy, saying, “Make no mistake: This was an injustice, not just to Bishop Barber, but to all of us. Every family knows someone who needs additional accommodations.”
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