A video circulating social media shows a Pennsylvania man being removed from a SEPTA bus by police officers for not wearing a face mask. Officials say the man refused to follow orders after the driver asked him to get off the bus.
According to NBC Philadelphia, the viral video recorded by Dupree Myers shows Philadelphia Police officers removing the male passenger around 8:25 a.m. on the Route 23 bus stop on Eleventh and Market streets. The unidentified man tries to resist officers as they are grabbing his legs and remove him off the bus. During the encounter, the passenger is yelling swear words and asking why he’s being removed.
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After being temporarily held by officers, the man said: “I want all y’all’s f—ing badge numbers, too.” SEPTA has released a statement in light of the incident saying that passengers were encouraged to wear masks in public but they will not be banned from using its transportation.
“While SEPTA urges riders to cover their faces, those who refuse will not be barred entry to the system,”
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The incident is currently under investigation and city officials stated the officers involved in the video were not enforcing the mask policy. They responded to the driver’s request after the man refused to leave the bus.
“When a bus driver says he’s kicked somebody off for any reason, our officers are going to support SEPTA in that effort. Especially given some of the challenges SEPTA has faced during this crisis.”