Stadium Rappeller: Magicians Don’t Reveal Their Tricks
CHARLOTTE, NC — Bank of America Stadium security is asking how four protesters managed to rappel during Monday’s Panthers game.
Seconds is all Angela Vogel says it took for her and three partners to rappel 65 feet above fans.
“There’s a lot of skill involved in that,” said Vogel.
As millions watched Monday night football, Vogel, David Baghdadi, John Nicholson and Erica Madrid got past security and dropped a sign demanding Bank of America to stop loaning money for Dominion Natural Gas to drill.
They’re part of the activist group called We are Cove Point.
“Magicians don’t reveal their tricks. That’s all I can tell you. We got it in,” said Vogel.
A Panthers spokesperson can’t confirm the crew got their ropes, gear and massive banner through security.
Team officials are investigating to see if an insider helped.
WCCB Charlotte is told the four entered the game like any other fans.
Security searches everyone who comes through the gates, and the list of things they’re looking for is lengthy and detailed. It goes so far as to say you can’t bring your laptop, not even a small bag if it’s not see through, no umbrellas, certainly not a knife or a weapon. But rappelling gear, doesn’t make the no-go list.
Former FBI Assistant Director Chris Swecker says the Panthers need to ask: what if someone who wanted to cause harm was in that line?
“I think the public has to come to grips with the fact that these venues, there’s a false sense of security,” said Swecker.
He says with large crowds pushing to get into a game, stadiums can never slow down security to that of airport level scanning.
WCCB Charlotte asked Vogel if they carried their gear in clear bags and if they think stadium security needs to be stricter.
“Focusing on whether or not a few carabiners, some rope got into a stadium is like worrying about getting a band aid on your finger versus an imminent threat,” said Vogel. “In this case, the LNG export facility.”
Firefighters forced the activists on to solid ground. Police arrested them at the stadium.
Vogel and Madrid were out of jail Tuesday morning. Baghdadi and Nicholson expect to bail out Wednesday.
