Video footage from the Conservative Political Action Conference shows popular YouTube interviewer Austen “Fleccas Talks” Fletcher being kicked out of the event center for not wearing a mask, as security officials warn him that he is “no longer wanted” and he will be “arrested for trespassing” if he enters the building again. Several other attendees have also received similar treatment.
“I was politely removed from #CPAC for not wearing a mask,” Fletcher announced on Twitter. “They forced one on me for 30 seconds but then I ran into some fans and couldn’t look them in the eye while wearing it. That’s it. That’s just me. I’m out.”
In video footage of the incident, at least five men can be seen surrounding Fletcher, including an armed man in uniform who appears to be a police officer. Fletcher is told that the is “no longer wanted” at CPAC, and that if he reenters the hotel he will be “arrested for trespassing.”
I was politely removed from #CPAC for not wearing a mask. They forced one on me for 30 seconds but then I ran into some fans and couldn’t look them in the eye while wearing it.
That’s it. That’s just me. I’m out. pic.twitter.com/PW1sKQppUz
— Essential Fleccas
(@fleccas) February 26, 2021
Conservative commentator Rogan )’Handley was also ejected and threatened with arrest by hotel security.
“I was just ejected from @CPAC and threatened with immediate arrest if I return for pulling my mask down to take pictures with dozens of followers,’ O’Handley wrote. “@Hyatt security had multiple police detain me Selfies with fans not allowed at CPAC!”
I was just ejected from @CPAC and threatened with immediate arrest if I return for pulling my mask down to take pictures with dozens of followers@Hyatt security had multiple police detain me
Selfies with fans not allowed at CPAC! pic.twitter.com/4LAOA0kKa3
— Rogan O’Handley
Conservative influencer @DC_Draino is being kicked out of #CPAC for violating the mask rule. He says he took of the mask just to take pictures. pic.twitter.com/SmjQQ2qUtn
— William Turton (@WilliamTurton) February 26, 2021
Conservative livestreamer Jaden McNeil was also ejected from CPAC, though it remains unclear if mask ordinances were the reason behind his removal.
Just got kicked out of CPAC
— Jaden McNeil (@JadenPMcNeil) February 26, 2021
The theme of CPAC 2021is “America Uncanceled,” but event officials have made it clear that American guests who enter the hotel unmasked will, in fact, be cancelled.
CPAC’s website states that guests who do not wear masks will be removed from the hotel property:
“Face coverings are required in the hotel lobby, all meeting space public areas such as foyers and hallways, meeting ballrooms and breakout rooms when not seated and socially distanced (or when not presenting in a session and socially distanced), restaurants and bars when not actively eating or drinking, fitness center, and while moving around in outdoor areas,” the CPAC website states.
“Guests who are not wearing face coverings at the hotel as required will be asked to wear one,” the website description continues. “Face coverings will be made available to guests who do not have one. Guests who are not willing to comply with this face coverings mandate may either stay in their guestroom throughout their visit or they will be asked to leave the hotel property.”
The CPAC website also boasts that event restrictions go above and beyond even the strictest protocols recommended by the CDC.