It was an ugly scene outside of Brooklyn’s Barclays Center before the NBA’s Nets tipped off for their home opener as anti-vaxxers stormed the arena and broke down barricades.
Here was the scene:
This is really crazy outside Barclays. At least 500 people protesting and Waco g I stand with Kyrie signs. pic.twitter.com/SREwTDkkED
— Barbara Barker (@meanbarb) October 24, 2021
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Video:
Protesters just broke through barricades to Barclay's Center, barricades thrown and security rushed to close the doors and people chanted "I'm with Kyrie" pic.twitter.com/IBx2qgUir0
— Oliya Scootercaster 🛴 (@ScooterCasterNY) October 24, 2021
The arena was put on lockdown, and the crowd mix was described by observers as “weird:”
Really weird mix of people marching around with I stand with Kyrie signs. Kids with trump hats and people with Black Lives Matter shirts. pic.twitter.com/gJwX4k2aT3
— Barbara Barker (@meanbarb) October 24, 2021
The crowd mix isn’t that weird when one understands where the anti-vax movement overlaps. The Trumpers have merged with the far left RFK Jr. anti-vaxxers to push a toxic blend of lies and misinformation about the COVID vaccine.
There are probably also a few Nets fans there who just want anti-vaxxer and flat earther Kyrie Irving to be allowed to play basketball. Irving is currently not allowed to play or be near the team because of his refusal to get vaccinated.
The protest in Brooklyn is the first time that anti-vaxxers have shown up and gotten physical. Trump made COVID mitigation political, and just like with his Big Lie, the end result is mob violence.
Jason is the managing editor. He is also a White House Press Pool and a Congressional correspondent for PoliticusUSA. Jason has a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science. His graduate work focused on public policy, with a specialization in social reform movements.
Awards and Professional Memberships
Member of the Society of Professional Journalists and The American Political Science Association