A Texas woman learned the hard way that just because her state no longer has a mask mandate, that doesnāt mean no one ever has to wear a mask again.
Although Republican Gov. Greg Abbott rescinded the stateās mask mandatesĀ in a March 2 executive order, private businesses still retain the right to require customers and employees to wear masks, as well as to refuse service to any customer, according to Fox News.
And that left Terry White, 65, on the wrong side of the law when she went inside to withdraw cash from a Bank of America location in Galveston, Texas, on Thursday without a mask on.
āMaāam, if they ask you to leave, you have to leave,ā White was told by a responding officer called to the scene, whose interaction with White was captured on his bodycam footage.
āMy money is in this bank, and Iām going to take it out,ā she said.
āWell, then you have to abide by their rules,ā the officer responded. āBusinesses have the right to refuse service, even if youāre not wearing a mask. You need to go and get a mask and then take your money out.ā
After several seconds of pushback from White, who remained unmovable,Ā the officer said, āWeāre gonna do this the easy way or the hard way.ā
āWhat are you gonna do, arrest me?ā she asked incredulously.
āYes, for intruding on-premises,ā the officer said.
āThis is a public place,ā White said. āThis is not a public place ā this is a private business,ā the officer responded.
After asking the woman to follow him outside to no avail, the officer pulled out his handcuffs.
Attempting to run away from the police officer, White tried to get sympathy or assistance from other customers. āBack up! Back up! Some old lady is getting handcuffed here!ā she yelled.
As the officer told her to put her hands behind her back, White appealed for help.
āIs anybody gonna get real here? No oneās gonna get real? Wow,ā she said. āPolice brutality right here, people.ā
āNo ⦠no itās not,ā numerous other customers inside the bank were heard saying. White then dismissed them as āa bunch of sheep.ā
The episode drew several comments on Twitter ā some applauding the officerās actions in upholding the bankās right to refuse service, and some stating their objections to the bankās response.
Fox News reported that White now faces charges of criminal trespass and resisting arrest, though she cannot be charged for refusal to wear a mask under new Texas law.
This article appeared originally on The Western Journal.
