A 65-year-old Texas woman found herself attacked and handcuffed after refusing to leave a Galveston Bank of America agency that requires clients to wear a coronavirus mask.
A Galveston police officer arrived at the scene and told the woman, that Fox 26 Houston later identified the situation as Terry White.
“Madam, if they ask you to leave, you have to leave,” says the policeman in a body camera video.
“My money is in this bank and I’m going to withdraw it,” she replies.
“Well, then you have to follow their rules,” replied the officer.
Even though Texas Governor Greg Abbott has suspended a masking mandate across the state, private companies can still implement their own masking rules, capacity limits or other security guidelines.
“Companies have the right to refuse the service, even if you are not wearing a mask”, explains the executive. “You need to get a mask and then take your money.”
She continues to protest, and the policeman tells her, “Let’s do this the easy way or the hard way.”
“What are you going to do, arrest me?” she replies.
“Yes, for invading the facility,” he says.
After a few more comings and goings, the officer adds: “This is not a public place. This is a private business. “
So he tries to lead you out.
“Backup! Backup! Some lady is being handcuffed here!” She screams.
In the video, she seems to ignore his orders to put her hands behind her back and asks, “Is anyone going to get real here? Will anyone get real? Wow.”
He handcuffs her.
“Police brutality right here, people,” she declares.
“No … no, it’s not,” you can hear a chorus of other bank customers saying. She calls them “a flock of sheep”.
White, who accused the police officer who arrested him of breaking his foot, was taken to a hospital for treatment.
She faces charges of criminal invasion and resistance to arrest, although refusing to wear a mask on her own is not a crime in Texas under Abbott’s latest directive.
Michael Ruiz is an American and world reporter for Fox News.