‘Flash mob’ protests masks inside Target

Protesters used band’s hit song inside Fort Lauderdale Target

Blaring Twisted Sister’s hit song “We’re not Gonna Take It,” a group of anti-maskers strolled into Target on Wednesday and ripped off their coronavirus masks.

The band’s lead singer was not impressed.

Singer Dee Snider went on Twitter to proclaim the stunt “moronic.” He shared a video recorded by an upset customer inside the Target at Coral Ridge Mall, a video that drew millions of views.

“These selfish a———- do not have my permission or blessing to use my song for their moronic cause,” Snider tweeted.

Broward County was not impressed, either. The county fined the Target for not enforcing the mask law, and it mailed protesters citations as well.

Chris Nelson, the Fort Lauderdale resident behind the group ReOpen South Florida, said he organized Tuesday’s “flash mob” and posted a video of it from their vantage point on YouTube. “In celebration of Burn Your Mask Day we decided to spread some freedom dust over the shoppers and employees of Target!” the YouTube video’s caption read.

It’s not the first time Nelson has challenged the COVID-19 rules. He staged a protest against beach closures on July Fourth and was taken into custody at a Broward County news conference in July

and charged with trespassing.

At the time, Nelson was shouting about how the new restrictions were intrusions on citizens’ Fourth Amendment rights. Police ordered him to leave, saying he was causing a disturbance. He initially refused to leave but complied once the officer ordered him to place his hands behind his back.

On Tuesday at Target, about a half-dozen anti-maskers approached customers and asked them to join in. “We’re Americans, breathe,” a woman screamed. “It’s all a lie!”

“Take off that mask, you don’t need it,” screamed another woman.

They cheered if a guest complied and kept hollering at guests who stayed in the aisles, out of their way.

Margaret Stapleton, Broward County spokeswoman, said three people from the video who were able to be identified were mailed $100 citations for failing to wear masks. “Any additional participants from the video that are able to be identified will also receive $100 citations in the mail,” she said.

Broward’s laws require facial coverings in public spaces to try to stop the spread of the new coronavirus.

Interim Assistant Police Chief Frank Sousa said officers did respond to the Target, but the protesters were already gone. He said the protesters entered the store with their masks on.

Danielle Schumann, a Target corporate spokeswoman, said Target requires shoppers to wear masks inside stores.

“Our priority remains the health and safety of our team and guests,” she said.

She said the protesters were asked to leave “after they removed their masks and became disruptive and rude to other shoppers.”

She did not comment about the citation.

Of Snider’s criticism, Nelson said he’ll continue using the protest song.

“It’s sad,” he said. “It’s a great anthem about freedom and overcoming oppression.”

“Our priority remains the health and safety of our team and guests.”

Danielle Schumann, a Target corporate spokeswoman