Anti-vaccine protesters gathered near Barclays Center, the home court of Brooklyn Nets, to support basketball star Kyrie Irving, who has been forced to sit out the NBA season after refusing COVID-19 vaccination. Protesters chanted "no vaccine mandate, stand with Kyrie" at the plaza outside Barclays Center, and later attempted to break through the outer security gates and force their way inside the arena. The arena's spokesperson said they had to briefly close its doors to clear protesters from the main doors.