US Open protests: NYPD officers used ACETONE to dislodge a man’s feet from the ground after the Extinction Rebellion trio wreaked havoc, halting Coco Gauff’s semifinal for nearly an hour
- The US Open semi-final was halted for more than 50 minutes by fossil fuel protesters
- DailyMail.com can reveal that acetone – or nail polish remover – was used by police
- Arrested protesters named Sayak Mukhopadhyay, 50, and Gregory Schwedock, 35, both from New York
NYPD officers rushed into the stands at the US Open using acetone to dislodge a protester’s feet from the ground during Coco Gauff’s semi-final, DailyMail.com can reveal.
Play at Arthur Ashe was halted for almost an hour on Thursday evening after three Extinction Rebellion protesters stood up and started shouting at the start of the second set.
While two were removed by security and police within 20 minutes, one – named by police as 50-year-old Sayak Mukhopadhyay of White Plains, New York – remained in his seat after gluing his feet to the ground, forcing Gauff and her opponent Karolina Muchova to leave the court.
DailyMail.com can exclusively reveal that police used acetone – better known as nail polish remover – to remedy the situation, allowing them to safely remove Mukhopadhyay, but not before he shouted at supporters on the way out.
The second man arrested and charged by police was named Gregory Schwedock, 35, of Manhattan, while the third protester – a woman – was not arrested at the scene.
US Open protester Sayak Mukhopadhyay glued his feet to the floor of Arthur Ashe Stadium
The man was removed from the concrete with acetone after police determined this would be safe
The Arthur Ashe drama began shortly after 8 p.m., at the start of the second set of Gauff’s eventual victory over her Czech opponent.
Three climate villains stood up in the middle of the stadium and shouted “End fossil fuels,” while the man to the right of the group had his feet glued to the ground.
The spectators ultimately had the last laugh when the protesters – whose group hails from Britain and has repeatedly frustrated events in the name of global warming – were thrown out of the stadium, surrounded by chants of “You suck!” and ‘F*** you!’
The ESPN broadcast cut away from the event as the two men and one woman took a stand against the use of fossil fuels. The three wore shirts with the text ‘End fossil fuels’ and the Extinction Rebellion logo.
The disruption came just days after another patron was thrown out of the stadium after a fan allegedly shouted a Nazi phrase from the crowd.
The protester glued his feet to the concrete at Arthur Ashe Stadium late Thursday evening
One of the protesters has been named by police as Gregory Schwedock, 35, of Manhattan
Three protesters were responsible for an extraordinary delay during the US Open semi-final
Acetone is better known as nail polish remover
According to AP, one of the protesters said they wanted the US Open to be held accountable because it has sponsors who are major corporations whose policies contribute to global warming.
“We are not trying to harm the athletes in any way. “We have nothing against the sport, but we are really trying to draw attention to an issue that there will no longer be tennis for anyone in the world to enjoy,” he said.
Gauff was clearly frustrated by the delay and did not want to leave, initially asking why they were “negotiating” with the protesters and sarcastically asking if there was a “hostage situation.”
Her coach, Brad Gilbert, shouted at the tournament referee, “This is a joke!”, but then it became clear that the situation was more complicated when the protester chose glue instead of shoes as his footwear of choice.
Gauff ultimately won the match, but was frustrated by the length of the delay
Many in the crowd were angry that the glued-up protester was not removed more quickly
Boos rang through the stadium as many fans were confused as to why it took almost an hour to clear the protesters, prompting a bulletin on the inside screens asking for “patience.”
The polarizing trio are part of the disruptive Extinction Rebellion Group, which has caused a stir on numerous occasions in recent years as members cling to famous paintings and climb onto structures.
The purpose of the politically charged entity is to cause civil disobedience as a means of highlighting issues related to alleged environmental degradation.
The maddening return this week comes after the group appeared to renounce public unrest in December, feeling that ruining people’s days did not bring supporters to their cause.