Civil rights groups demand accessibility improvements at AMC theaters: NPR

Bishop William J. Barber III during the Clinton Global Initiative September 2023 meeting at the New York Hilton Midtown on September 19, 2023.

Noam Galai/Getty Images for Clinton Global

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Noam Galai/Getty Images for Clinton Global

Bishop William J. Barber III during the Clinton Global Initiative September 2023 meeting at the New York Hilton Midtown on September 19, 2023.

Noam Galai/Getty Images for Clinton Global

Civil rights leader Bishop William J. Barber III and the North Carolina NAACP asked AMC Theaters to improve accessibility for patrons with disabilities after an incident this week.

The barber who suffers from Sclerotic spondylitisA type of arthritis that causes inflammation of the joints and ligaments of the spine, he was escorted out of an AMC movie theater Tuesday to get his own chair to watch a screening of “The Color Purple” with his 90-year-old son. The mother is in the disabled ward.

The staff there claimed the chair would pose a fire hazard and would not allow him to use it. The former North Carolina NAACP branch president initially refused to leave and theater staff called police before the religious leader left voluntarily with officers.

Barber said he hasn't had any problems using the chair in other settings.

“The chair was everywhere” Barber told Religion News. “It's a need I have because I have a very debilitating arthritis condition.”

Because of this condition, the barber cannot sit in a wheelchair or on low chairs. He told Al-Din News. He says he was denied reasonable accommodation at the theater.

AMC Entertainment Holdings Chairman and CEO Adam Aron has reached out to Barber and offered to meet him in Greenville next week.

In the wake of the incident, the North Carolina NAACP State Conference said it serves as a reminder of the need to improve inclusivity for everyone.

“This incident serves as a powerful reminder that we must create spaces that are inclusive, fair, and respect 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.” The organization said in a statement.

“While AMC has issued an apology, there is an urgent need to take concrete steps to ensure accessibility to all AMC theaters across the country. The NAACP stands united in our calls for accessibility and justice,” the group continued.

NAACP North Carolina She launched an online petition Calling on AMC Theaters to improve accessibility and adopt lasting changes.

Barber plans to hold a news conference in Greenville on Friday to further address the incident.