Video shows vaccine mandate protesters stage sit-in at popular Times Square restaurant: 'They arrested me for trying to eat at Olive Garden'



People protesting New York City's restrictive vaccine mandate staged a protest at the popular Olive Garden restaurant in Times Square on Friday night. Several protesters were arrested following the boisterous demonstration.

A group of New Yorkers launched a protest at the Olive Garden to show their disdain for the city's vaccine mandate that requires people ages 5 to 12 to show proof they have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, and people 12 and older to show proof of two doses of the coronavirus vaccine.

Video shows the protesters — who refused to provide the restaurant with verification that they had received the COVID-19 vaccine — gathered in the Olive Garden restaurant.

"Victorious, we shut them down," a demonstrator boasts as employees of the restaurant refuse to serve the unmasked protesters.

"Take off your mask, free your face," another protester tells employees of the restaurant. "Stand up to your bosses."

The protesters chanted "U-S-A!" and sang "The Star-Spangled Banner."

Oliya Scootercaster of Freedom News TV reported that the restaurant closed after the protesters were there for two hours. The protest was over by 10:40 p.m., but the restaurant allegedly shut down before its usual Friday closing time of 1 a.m.

"Victorious, we shut them down" - anti-mandate protesters occupied the Olive Garden in Times Square for 2 hours. \nAfter two hours, instead of being arrested, the business decided to stop operation for the night and closed.pic.twitter.com/SxH2uSkxbV
— Scootercaster (@Scootercaster) 1642216116

New York Police Department officers were summoned to the restaurant, and most of the demonstrators dispersed.

Video from independent photojournalist Leeroy Johnson shows protesters being escorted out in handcuffs by NYPD officers.

"I got arrested. They arrested me for trying to eat at Olive Garden, that’s what happened," a protester said.

While being taken away by police, a protester shouts, "This is the Civil Rights movement again!"

Another demonstrator screamed, "Wake up New York! Wake the f*** up!"

Some onlookers applauded the protesters and called them "heroes."

Content Warning: Explicit language:

#Breakingnew \nMultiple protesters against mandates were just arrested at Olive Garden in NYC that's for the vaxxed only , Activists attempt to order food and were refused service. The #NYPD was called and told them to leave or they will be arrested. \n#VaccinePassports #Fridaypic.twitter.com/GAeNZGXCZp
— Leeroy Johnson (@Leeroy Johnson) 1642219463

Four protesters were arrested after refusing to leave the restaurant, according to the New York Post. "Three men and a woman were expected to be charged with trespassing, according to officials," the outlet reported. There were no reports of vandalism, according to Fox News.

There have been similar anti-vaccine passport protests at restaurants in New York City, including at Carmine's in the Upper West Side, Cheesecake Factory in Queens, and a Burger King in Brooklyn.

Multiple People Arrested At Olive Garden Protesting Vaccine Mandates in NYC www.youtube.com

NYPD officer appears to purposely step on US flag after ripping pole from 'proof of vaccine' protester, throwing pole on ground



During the arrest Sunday of a man protesting against New York City's "proof of vaccine" requirement to enter restaurants and other establishments, video showed what appeared to be an NYPD officer purposely stepping on an American flag inside the Panera Bread where the arrest took place.

What happened?

Police told the New York Post that a 42-year-old man and other members of a “disorderly group” refused to leave the Panera at the Gateway Center Mall just after 3 p.m. despite “multiple requests."

The paper — citing photographer Leeroy Johnson, who tweeted video of the incident — said protesters entered five Paneras in New York City on Sunday in defiance of the the city’s mandate to show proof of vaccination before dining in.

Johnson's video shows officers surrounding the man in question and struggling with other protesters trying to hold on to an American flag.

“You don’t deserve to touch that flag, sir,” the man, whose name was not released, hollered at an officer, the Post said.

“The flag does not touch the ground!” the man — whom Johnson identified as an Army veteran — also yelled, the paper said.

#BreakingNews Activists against mandates was just arrested at Panera Bread in Brooklyn NY that's for the Vaxed only , the Same man was arrested 2 times last week for trying to order food. He's the army veteran .\nFor licensing email LeeroyPress@gmail.com \n#breaking #nyc #Coronapic.twitter.com/7ERqddV7Bt
— Leeroy Johnson (@Leeroy Johnson) 1639948274

But video taken from a different angle shows that amid the struggle for a short pole upon which the U.S. flag was attached, it appears an NYPD officer yanked the pole from one of the protesters:

Image source: Twitter video screenshot via @ChrisWrightInNY

Image source: Twitter video screenshot via @ChrisWrightInNY

The officer then threw the pole on the floor, and then appears to have purposely stepped on the flag, first with a right foot:

Image source: Twitter video screenshot via @ChrisWrightInNY

Then with both feet at once and turning their direction:

Image source: Twitter video screenshot via @ChrisWrightInNY

The NYPD on Monday afternoon didn't respond to TheBlaze's request for comment about the officer and the flag, although police did say the man they arrested was issued a summons.

Here's the clip from the alternate angle:

#BreakingNews\n\nArmy Veteran against mandates arrested at a Panera Bread restaurant in Brooklyn NY after ordering Food.\n\nYouTube channel: https://youtube.com/c/ChristopherWrightInNY\u00a0\u2026pic.twitter.com/VIqtkjLXB4
— Christopher Wright (@Christopher Wright) 1639956008

What happened next?

As police handcuffed the protester, he yelled “the Constitution of the United States is being violated!" and “I cannot eat, and my sisters and brothers cannot work!” the Post said, adding that he also told police he wasn’t resisting arrest.

Police noted to the paper the man was told he was trespassing and then was “taken into custody without further incident."

What did Panera have to say?

“The safety and security of our guests and employees is paramount,” a Panera spokesperson said in a statement, according to the Post. “We continue to closely follow all New York State masking mandates accordingly. As this is an ongoing police matter, we ask that all further media inquiries are directed to the NYPD.”

Anything else?

The Panera arrest occurred less than a week after six individuals protesting for the same reason were arrested in a Cheesecake Factory in Queens, police added to the paper.

Initially, about 40 protesters entered the restaurant in the Queens Center mall at 7 p.m. Tuesday and refused to show proof of vaccination, the Post said, citing police.

Video showed arguing with police, including one who compared the officers to Nazis, the paper said.

Group members were charged with criminal trespass, the Post said.

Rittenhouse verdict sparks protests across the country: Agitators launch urine, chant 'Burn it down,' spray-paint 'Kill Kyle' graffiti



Reaction to the not guilty verdict in the Kyle Rittenhouse trial sparked protests across the country, including a riot in Portland, Oregon. Hours after Rittenhouse was acquitted, a riot was declared in Portland.

A banner was posted that read: "Kyle Rittenhouse is guilty." Demonstrators chanted: "Kyle is a terrorist!" There was graffiti spray-painted that read: "All cops are Kyles."

Vandals destroyed storefronts of businesses, shattered vehicle windshields, and attacked the Justice Center building in downtown Portland.

Portland police have declared a riot tonight after demonstrators gathered downtown to protest the verdict in the Kyle Rittenhouse trialpic.twitter.com/7OBjgFvkbo
— Zane Sparling (@Zane Sparling) 1637386979


After Kyle #Rittenhouse was found not guilty, #antifa in Portland organized an attempt to break inside the Justice Center to burn it down. They attacked police & also smashed up a passing driver's vehicle & targeted nearby buildings. Police declared a riot https://www.portlandoregon.gov/police/news/read.cfm?id=362077\u00a0\u2026pic.twitter.com/EA8nVZMPg1
— Andy Ng\u00f4 \ud83c\udff3\ufe0f\u200d\ud83c\udf08 (@Andy Ng\u00f4 \ud83c\udff3\ufe0f\u200d\ud83c\udf08) 1637408005
The crowd chants "Kyle is a terrorist" outside the Justice Center after a riot was declared by PPB.pic.twitter.com/zqnzrGKqnW
— Mathieu Lewis-Rolland (@Mathieu Lewis-Rolland) 1637386750


Multnomah County Office building damaged after Portland protesters take to the streets downtown, many voiced frustration regarding the Kyle Rittenhouse verdict. #Portland #protestpic.twitter.com/XKiYnadhKk
— Independent Media PDX (@Independent Media PDX) 1637386288

"Some individuals in the crowd were heard saying 'burn it down,' referring to the Justice Center," the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office reported. "The crowd, which was described as hostile, launched urine, alcoholic beverages, water bottles, and batteries at deputies during the event."

Agitators gathered in front of the detention center to prevent law enforcement officers from entering, and attempted to use branches to prevent the gate from closing.

"A riot was declared after a violent, destructive group began to breach the gate into the Multnomah County Detention Center (MCDC)," according to the Portland Police Bureau.

#Portland\n#Antifa\nLast nightpic.twitter.com/b2JxNbqtys
— The Daily Sneed\u2122 \ud83d\udd57 (@The Daily Sneed\u2122 \ud83d\udd57) 1637412402

In New York City, hundreds of protesters gathered in the hours after the verdict was announced.

Black Lives Matter activists in Brooklyn held signs that said: "Rittenhouse Racist Killer!" The crowd shouted: "Hey ho. Ho ho. These racist cops have got to go," "Every city, every town, burn the precinct to the ground," and "If we don't get it, shut it down!" The agitators shut down the Manhattan Bridge.

#BlackLivesMatter Activists shut down the streets of Brooklyn NY in response of the #KyleRittenhouse case they chant " HEY HEY HO HO THESE RACIST COPS HAVE GOT TO GO "pic.twitter.com/LcFZOmQ6he
— Leeroy Johnson (@Leeroy Johnson) 1637371560
#BlackLivesMatter Activists take to the streets of Brooklyn NY in response of the #KyleRittenhouseTrial and chant " EVERY CITY EVERY TOWN BURN THE PRECINCT TO THE GROUND "\n#NYPD #NYCpic.twitter.com/WyyUJcjR0B
— Leeroy Johnson (@Leeroy Johnson) 1637371945


#BlackLivesMatter shut down down Manhattan Bridge and chant " IF WE DON'T GET IT BURN IT DOWN " in response of the #KyleRittennhouse casepic.twitter.com/lJRQnPpEHN
— Leeroy Johnson (@Leeroy Johnson) 1637377304

The NYPD shared photos of vandalized vehicles in Queens. Five people were arrested for allegedly damaging cars and houses in Middle Village, police said.

The NYPD takes its responsibility to protect the 1st amendment rights of peaceful demonstrators seriously. Just as important is the safety of NYers & the protection of property from people breaking the law in the name of protest. As seen tonight in Queens, they will be arrested.pic.twitter.com/a6bL0Fewv9
— NYPD NEWS (@NYPD NEWS) 1637376034

In Los Angeles, there were multiple graffiti messages that read: "Kill Kyle" and "ACAB." ATMs were smashed and the windows of Chase Bank were shattered in Hollywood.

Hollywood: Antifa militants smashed the windows of a Chase bank in retaliation to the #Rittenhouse verdict. \n\n\u201cKill Kyle\u201d was spray painted on a bus stop in front of the bank.pic.twitter.com/GDi3mMe39D
— Tomas Morales \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8 (@Tomas Morales \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8) 1637401443

In Denver, a crowd blocked traffic and thumped vehicles that attempted to pass.

#Denver\n#KyleRittenhouseTrial protest\n \nThe crowd begins to block traffic and hitting trucks trying to pass by. Police rush in.pic.twitter.com/HXhVjWyo33
— The Daily Sneed\u2122 \ud83d\udd57 (@The Daily Sneed\u2122 \ud83d\udd57) 1637379194

In Kenosha, Wisconsin — the location of the fatal shootings and the Rittenhouse trial — the scene was relatively calm.

Current scene around the courthouse, some pro- and anti-Kyle Rittenhouse demonstrators out. A quiet evening thus far in Kenosha #RittenhouseVerdict #Kenoshapic.twitter.com/R3CKRlBEW5
— Brendan Gutenschwager (@Brendan Gutenschwager) 1637377933

VIDEO: Activists and cops clash in NYC; Central Park statues vandalized with anti-police graffiti



Social justice demonstrations in New York City deteriorated into physical altercations with NYPD officers and a Central Park statue dedicated to American sailors who lost their lives was desecrated with anti-police graffiti.

Hundreds of activists and protesters marched Thursday night in New York City, with some carrying signs that read "Justice for Ma'Khia Bryant," others waving Black Lives Matter flags, and some were part of a black trans lives matter demonstration, according to the Daily Mail.

"The crowd was part of the Stonewall Protests, which gathers weekly outside the iconic Greenwich Village bar," the New York Post reported. "The group describes itself as "black queer and black trans activists centered on the acknowledgment of all black life" on Instagram."

#HappeningNow Activists March down midtown Manhattan Filmed and owned by leeroy #manhattan #blm #georgefloyd https://t.co/O7TW9jpSWo
— Leeroy Johnson (@Leeroy Johnson)1619141882.0

At one point, there were tense confrontations between dozens of protesters and police officers. Video from independent photojournalist Leeroy Johnson shows cops getting doused with an unidentified liquid, and there were sounds of a person spitting during the dust-up. One individual screams at the cops, "What the f*** is wrong with you?"

Content warning: rough language

Chaos Erupts at protest in NYC. Multiple arrests were made Filmed and owned by leeroy Johnson #NewYork #BLM… https://t.co/BxHOlngcd3
— Leeroy Johnson (@Leeroy Johnson)1619150328.0

Protesters converged near Central Park, where they appear to wave flags for the counties of Nigeria and Jamaica, as well as Black Lives Matter, and one that represents the transgender community. Vandals defaced the USS Maine Monument with red paint made to look like blood and anti-police terms such as "ACAB (All Cops Are Bastards)" and "F*** 12," which is an anti-law enforcement slogan often used by Antifa members.

The USS Maine Monument honors the 266 American sailors of the USS Maine, a U.S. battleship that sank in Havana, Cuba, in 1898.

"We respect's everyone right to peacefully protest, but vandalism is not part of peaceful protest," the New York Police Department wrote on Twitter. "We are working to de-escalate the situation to prevent further damage from occurring."

Six people were arrested by the NYPD on charges ranging from assault to damage to public property, WABC-TV reported. No injuries to demonstrators or police, a police spokesman told Fox News.

We respect's everyone right to peacefully protest, but vandalism is not part of peaceful protest. We are working to… https://t.co/ETTBFnV9uK
— NYPD NEWS (@NYPD NEWS)1619146919.0

Activists marched through midtown Manhattan, including in front of the New York Times headquarters, where they chanted, "F*** the New York Times!"