Conservative Christian group protests against Artis and Naples’ COVID news

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Viewers at Artis — Naples can see works of art they hadn’t planned on when they arrive for a concert lined up with the Baker Museum on Friday night: protest panels.

A group that calls itself the conservative Christians of Southwest Florida called for a demonstration at 7 p.m. at the artistic entertainment venue. That’s around the time people arrive for his “Music of Baseball” concert, which is linked to an exhibit, “Baseball Heroes,” at the Baker Museum which is part of the complex. Spectators can visit the exhibit before the 8 p.m. concert, which is likely to get people in early.

The protest, which revolves around Artis — Naples’ new COVID-19 policy, is promoted on the group’s Facebook page. Ariel Martinez, vice president of the Christian Conservatives of Southwest Florida, told a Fox 4 reporter that “it’s really not about security. It’s a matter of control. “

Safety rules:Artis — Naples has a new COVID policy. This is what it means

AND:Masks? Vaccine cards? Your Guide to the COVID-19 Rules at Southwest Florida Entertainment Venues

But the organization did not respond to four emails, a phone message and a request to Destiny Church, where the group meets, to ask its representative to call the Daily News. (A church representative said that a church member is the contact for the organization but is not affiliated with the church.)

A flyer attributed to the same group is circulating online, but is not on their Facebook page. He advocates a boycott of Artis — Naples and any other company that imposes COVID-19 security requirements:

“Mass panic and senseless fear are the justifications used to wage a medical tyranny against American citizens. An ideological war on our God-given and constitutionally protected freedoms is currently being waged against us by the Biden administration via the form federal warrants on vaccines, ”the flyer says.

“Conservative Christians in the SWFL are calling for a boycott not only of Artis — Naples, but of any other company that seeks to violate our innate rights. refund your existing ticket purchases and do not make any new purchases until this practice has been rescinded. “

The new policy requires anyone who comes to the Artis — Naples campus to have a negative reading of a professionally administered COVID-19 test. He says he will accept a voluntary vaccination card from the client instead of a test, but says what will be asked at the door is the test.

A full copy of its COVID-19 policy and security protocols is available on its website at artisnaples.org

The demonstration comes at a time when there is a strong exodus from Artis — Naples, on the basis of job offers published on the site’s website last month: at least 15 administrative employees, from the position of room manager and from personnel manager to a deputy director of safety and security. This does not include the possible departures of musicians from the Philharmonic of Naples.

In October, the institution made full vaccination compulsory for employees and volunteers, except those with religious or medical exemptions which must be verified by Artis — Naples.

Not all vacancies can be attributed to its new policy. But Artis-Naples did not give any interviews about the boycott, the number of vacancies or the arrangements made for employees who refused vaccinations or were denied religious or medical exemptions. Instead, he released a statement:

“We are sorry to hear of the boycott. Our commitment to the collective health and safety of our patrons, visitors, musicians, guest artists, staff and volunteers is essential. The decision to update our protocols was not taken lightly. We sincerely hope that the new protocols will encourage increased participation and security in all of our activities.

“We are excited to join many of Florida’s largest arts organizations that have implemented these protocols over the past month. These include the Arsht Center, Broward Center for the Performing Arts, Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, Norton Museum of Art, Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall and Straz Center for the Performing Arts.

He answered the question about the loss of employees with, “We cannot comment on personnel issues. “

Harriet Howard Heithaus covers the arts and entertainment for the Naples Daily News / naplesnews.com. Contact her at 239-213-6091.

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