GREENVILLE, N.C. — AMC released a statement apologizing to the former President of the NAACP state chapter after he was kicked out of a movie theater in Greenville.
The company said it is reviewing its policies on accommodating guests with disabilities.
Police said Reverend William Barber was asked to leave the theater after an argument over seating.
Barber says he tried to use a specialized chair in the accessible seating area, but theater staff told him he was not allowed to do that.
Staff called the police, who eventually escorted Barber out of the theater.
According to Greenville CBS affiliate WNCT, Barber and his 90-year-old mother were trying to watch the movie 'The Color Purple'.
Barber said he cannot sit in chairs that require him to be close to the floor due to a bad hip. He walks with two canes and carries a chair with him to accommodate himself, WNCT reports.
He said that he had never been anywhere that did not allow him to use his own chair.
"I have a disability myself," Barber told WNCT. "I have serious Ankylosing (kind of arthritis)."
Barber said whether he's on Broadway, the White House, the State House, or United States Congress, he was allowed to bring his chair and it's never been a problem.
The NAACP released a statement following the incident:
“NAACP North Carolina stands in solidarity with Rev. William Barber II who was unjustly escorted out of the AMC Fire Tower 12 Theater simply for needing to use his own chair in the handicapped seating area to enjoy a movie.
NAACP North Carolina joins the Pitt County Branch in underscoring the urgent need for change. This incident serves as a powerful reminder that we must create spaces that are inclusive, fair, and respectful of the rights of every individual. Discrimination based on physical abilities has no place in our society, and we must take decisive action to address this issue.
While AMC has issued an apology, there is an urgent need for concrete steps to ensure accessibility in all AMC theaters across the nation. The NAACP stands united in our calls for accessibility and justice.”
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