GREENVILLE, N.C. — In a press conference on Friday, North Carolina civil rights leader Reverend William Barber is calling for education and awareness about people living with disabilities after an incident at a Greenville movie theater earlier this week.
The Greenville Police Department said the former state NAACP President Reverend William Barber was at an AMC Theater in Greenville to see "The Color Purple" with his mother on Tuesday.
Barber was asked to leave because he tried to use his own wheelchair in the handicapped section of the theater.
Barber has a bone disease that doesn't allow him to sit in a regular chair because of pain in his hips.
"Morally and theologically, this whole thing is bigger than me," Rev. Dr. Barber said in the press conference. "The law is clear. And for two managers to wrongfully make this decision. And I haven't called their names, I won't deliberately. I'm praying for them, even now. It should've never been a police escalation situation."
On Wednesday, a spokesperson for AMC Theatres released a statement apologizing to Barber for the way he was treated and stating that the theater chain is reviewing its policies on accommodating guests with disabilities.
AMC statement on Bishop Barber:
"We sincerely apologize to Bishop Barber for how he was treated, and for the frustration and inconvenience brought to him, his family, and his guests. AMC's Chairman and CEO Adam Aron has already telephoned him, and plans to meet with him in person in Greenville, NC, next week to discuss both this situation and the good works Bishop Barber is engaged in throughout the years.
AMC welcomes guests with disabilities. We have a number of accommodations in place at our theatres at all times, and our theatre teams work hard to accommodate guests who have needs that fall outside of the normal course of business. We encourage guests who require special seating to speak with a manager in advance to see what can best be accommodated at the theater to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for the guest and those around them. We are also reviewing our policies with our theater teams to help ensure that situations like this do not occur again."
AMC's CEO reached out to Barger to arrange an in-person meeting next week.