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Fight breaks out at Florida's FLL airport over masks
By Audrey Conklin
Published March 19, 2021
A fight broke out at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) in Florida on Wednesday as many people fly in and out of the COVID-19 restriction-free state for spring break.
Four people traveling through the airport on Wednesday got into a physical fight after three passengers refused to wear masks on American Airlines flight 2558 to Chicago, the Broward County Sheriff's Office confirmed to Fox News.
"The verbal argument stemmed from three of the travelers failing to wear their masks," Broward County Sheriff's Office Public Information Officer Gerdy St. Louis said.
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Local news outlet WSVN first reported the fight with footage of the incident.
Travelers walking through Ft. Lauderdale Airport in Florida. (Credit: Daxus / Getty Images)
American Airlines asked the three passengers, who were not from Florida and who refused to wear masks, to leave flight 2558. The passengers disembarked, left the gate and got into an argument that escalated into a physical fight with one other person, who was also not from Florida.
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Law enforcement intervened and broke up the fight.
St. Louis said authorities sent the incident to the State Attorney’s Office for review.
American Airlines confirmed that the passengers were escorted off the plane after "refusing to comply with the federal mask mandate and not following crew member instructions."
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The Transportation Security Administration in January implemented President Biden’s executive order on requiring face masks on passenger aircraft and public transportation.
Those who violate the order can be fined up to $250 for the first offense up to $1,500 for repeat offenses.
https://www.foxnews.com/us/fight-fort-lauderdale-airport-masks