Los Angeles vaccination site temporarily shut down after protestors block entrance | TheHill – The Hill

Los Angeles vaccination site temporarily shut down after protestors block entrance | TheHill – The Hill

A Los Angeles coronavirus vaccination site was temporarily forced to shut down after protesters blocked the entrance.

David Ortiz, a firefighter with the Los Angeles Fire Department, told The Hill that the department temporarily closed the gates of Dodgers Stadium between 1:50 p.m. and 2:45 p.m. because there were protesters outside.

About 50 anti-vaccine and far-right demonstrators gathered at the entrance on Saturday afternoon, The Los Angeles Times first reported. The site is usually opened from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

About 12,000 people are expected to be vaccinated there everyday, according to the Los Angeles Daily News.

One social media post shows protesters not wearing masks and carrying sings that said “99.6% Survival Rate” and “I only like muzzles in the bedroom.”

We’re at the mass vaccination site at Dodger Stadium to get my mom the vaccine. The anti–vax protestors have approached the entrance to the site. The LAPD have now closed the gate. We have been sitting here for about half an hour. Nobody is moving. pic.twitter.com/GrJPA5wrqx

— Mikel Jollett (@Mikel_Jollett) January 30, 2021

A separate video from Samuel Braslow, a reporter for the Beverly Hills Inquirer, shows maskless demonstrators walking toward the entrance of Dodgers Stadium with signs that say “COVID = scam” and “Tell Bill Gates to Vaccinate Himself.”

Another video from Braslow shows a line of cars backed up as a woman can be heard speaking about the vaccine.

The line stretched back further than I could see. pic.twitter.com/G8XZy0vxMS

— Samuel Braslow (@SamBraslow) January 30, 2021

The Los Angeles Police Department said on Twitter that it was aware of social media posts of the protesters arriving at the site.

“Preliminary reports are that protestors remained peaceful,” the department tweeted. “The LAPD did NOT close the gates, and per LA City Fire, all scheduled vaccines will be delivered.”

We are aware of social media posts referring to protestors showing up at the Dodger Stadium COVID-19 vaccination site. Preliminary reports are that protestors remained peaceful. The LAPD did NOT close the gates, and per LA City Fire, all scheduled vaccines will be delivered. https://t.co/l5zEW3UAOt

— LAPD HQ (@LAPDHQ) January 31, 2021

“City of LA’s vaccinations at Dodger Stadium were interrupted for 55 minutes by protesters,” Andrea Garcia, a spokesperson for Mayor Eric GarcettiEric GarcettiLos Angeles vaccination site temporarily shut down after protestors block entrance LA mayor receives first dose of coronavirus vaccine after spending days at super site Grammys postponed over coronavirus concerns MORE‘s (D) Office, said in a statement to The Hill. “The LAPD responded and the site resumed operations. No appointments were affected We remain committed to vaccinating Angelenos as quickly and safely as possible.”

Published at Sun, 31 Jan 2021 02:00:31 +0000