Climate protesters halt US Open women’s semifinals
Climate protesters halted the US Open women’s semifinal between
American Coco Gauff and Czech Karolina Muchova for nearly an hour
on Thursday, Azernews reports, citing Al
Arabiya.
With Gauff up a set and holding serve to open the second, a
disturbance erupted in the upper bowl of Arthur Ashe Stadium, the
sport’s largest venue with a seating capacity of over 23,000.
Stacey Allaster, United States Tennis Association (USTA) Chief
Executive Professional Tennis, told ESPN the disturbance involved
three climate protesters.
The USTA later issued a statement confirming four were taken into NYPD custody.
“Three of the four protesters were escorted out of the stadium
without further incident,” said the USTA statement. “The fourth
protester affixed their bare feet to the floor of the seating
bowl.”
“Due to the nature of this action, NYPD and medical personnel were
needed in order to safely remove this individual from the
stadium.”
Photographs of the scene showed protesters wearing shirts with the
slogan, ‘End Fossil Fuels.’
As players looked into the stands, security flooded into the
section around where protesters were shouting. Television pictures
showed more than a dozen law enforcement officers in the
section.
Players were escorted off the court by a USTA official and returned
for a warm-up 45 minutes later before play resumed.
Several major sporting events have been targeted by climate groups
this year. ‘Just Stop Oil’ protesters interrupted play at Wimbledon
in July, releasing orange ticker-tape mixed with jigsaw puzzle
pieces during matches.
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