Los Angeles vaccination site temporarily shut down by protesters

A Los Angeles coronavirus vaccination site was forced to temporarily 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 every day, according to the Los Angeles Daily News.

One social media post showed protesters not wearing masks and carrying signs that read “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 Courier, showed maskless demonstrators walking toward the entrance of Dodgers Stadium with signs that read “COVID = scam” and “Tell Bill Gates to Vaccinate Himself.”

Another video from Braslow showed a line of cars backed up as a woman could 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 (LAPD) 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 spokeswoman for L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti’s 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.”