Ahead of the Brooklyn Nets home opener, a large group of anti-vaccine mandate protesters appeared outside the Barclays Center, demanding Kyrie Irving be allowed to play NBA games again. Even though he is only barred from Nets home games due to New York protocols, the Nets have announced Irving will not play until the situation is resolved.
Newsday’s Barbara Barker reported the group included both apparent supporters of President Donald Trump and people with Black Lives Matter signs,
The lockdown was ultimately brief though, with arena personnel and police got the situation under control and fans with tickets were being admitted again.
The Barclays Center later released a short statement confirming the lockdown:
“Barclays Center briefly closed its doors today in order to clear protestors from the main doors on the plaza and ensure guests could safely enter the arena. Only ticketed guests were able to enter the building and the game proceeded according to schedule.”