A woman, who said she does not believe in the coronavirus pandemic, was arrested in Texas on Thursday after refusing to wear a face mask at a bank.
A body camera footage released by the Galveston Police shows the woman, identified as 65-year-old Terry White, arguing with an officer inside a Bank of America branch on Central City Boulevard.
The officer told her to wear a mask or leave the premises.
“Businesses have the right to refuse service…if you’re not wearing a mask. That’s their choice,” the officer said.
“What are you going to do? Arrest me?” White challenged the officer. “That’s hilarious.”
A scuffle ensued after White tried to resist arrest, which ended up with the officer forcing her to the ground in order to put her in handcuffs.
This is when White attempted to recruit the sympathy of the bystanders and yelled, “Police brutality right here, people.”
However, several customers who were wearing masks did not agree with her, and they replied, “No, no it is not.”
“Wow, not wearing a mask people! This is what they do to you,” White sniped back as the officer escorted her out of the premises.
She has been charged with resisting arrest and criminal trespass for being uncooperative with the officer.
However, she was taken into a hospital after claiming to have suffered from a foot injury during the arrest.
In an interview, White said she is “very opposed” to masks, and quipped, ” I won’t wear that diaper on my face!”
The incident came a day after Texas Governor Greg Abbott loosened the statewide mask mandate, to which he passed on the decision-making power from the government to private businesses.
Abbott said that he decided to loosen the restrictions so that “businesses and families in Texas have the freedom to determine their own destiny.”