They were kicked off a plane for wearing a thong as a mask

A passenger on a United Airlines flight, who wore a red thong over his face as a mask, was forced to disembark before taking off at Fort Lauderdale, Florida, local media reported Thursday (December 16). The 38-year-old explained to local NBC2 that he wanted to show “absurdityIt is a rule that requires a mask to be worn to protect against Covid-19 on planes while allowing passengers to take them off to eat and drink.

Read alsoCanada: A $1,000 fine for refusing to wear a mask on a plane

Video of Wednesday’s incident, filmed by another passenger, shows the crew telling them they won’t be able to stay on the plane if they put their belts on their faces. After the discussion, the man finally left his seat, and quit.

Compare Rosa Parks

In his NBC2 interview, he compared himself to African-American Rosa Parks, the symbol of the civil rights struggle in the United States who in 1955 refused to give up her seat to a white man on a bus. The laws in force at that time. “Every change in this country has been made by ordinary people“He explained earnestly.”Rosa Parks was not famous. You changed the course of history.»

«The customer clearly did not comply with the federal obligation to wear a mask and we are grateful to our crew for addressing the issue on the ground prior to takeoff, and avoiding any potential turbulence in the air.United Airlines responded in a statement sent to the local press.

see also – The return of the mask in public space? “Yes in certain areas and yes where there is focus”