History may be coming full circle as we may have another case of Rosa Parks and a seat in our hands.
A South Boston, Virginia, YMCA is facing community backlash. This came after staff called police on a 72-year-old Black woman. Reason for the call: a chair in the fitness class that she refused to give up to her White peer.
The incident unfolded on August 18 and has sparked outrage and protests. This has also opened a broader conversation about race, respect, and the treatment of seniors in community spaces.
Maria Spooner is a longtime YMCA member. On August 18, she arrived early to a popular fitness class and selected a seat at the front. However, soon after, another woman claimed the chair, saying it had been “hers” for over a year.
Spooner live-streamed the incident on Facebook and maintained that seating in the class was first-come, first-served. Therefore, she refused to move.
This all began as a minor disagreement; however, it escalated quickly. The escalation started when the instructor asked Spooner to relocate. But she stood her ground. One of the other participants reportedly mocked her and made faces at her. This person also flipped the middle finger and then told her that she didn’t care.
An elderly Black woman, Marina Spooner, shared a video claiming to have arrived to a YMCA class seated first and when a white woman sat right next to her, the YMCA staff allegedly attempted to make Marina move her chair. When she refused she was met with profanity and vulgarities… pic.twitter.com/ykopdvAiAZ
— Glitter Magazine (@glittermagazine) August 23, 2025
Tensions rose when staff accused Spooner of disrupting the class and then asked her to leave.
However, Spooner stood her ground, and employees called 911.
Responding officers asked Spooner to leave voluntarily, or they would have to use force, and she would end up facing trespassing charges. The conversation between the officer and Spooner was calm and respectful; however, it was the presence of law enforcement to solve a minor disagreement that people did not agree with.
Spooner later said that it was a humiliating experience for her. Her son, Steven, also voiced his frustration publicly:
South Boston, Virginia
I just read the news report on this and it’s even worse.https://t.co/GmEz2KX3A9— Brother Numpsay 🇧🇧 (@djel1200) August 23, 2025
“My mother sat in her seat, which was supposed to be an open space… apparently that lady had the right to have her seat, but my mother did not.”
As the public scrutiny over the incident grew, YMCA finally released the statement and acknowledged that the incident “fell short of the safe and welcoming environment we strive to create.”
The organization said it is in contact with the staff and trainer involved in it. They also assured that the policies would be reviewed so that no similar incident would take place in the future.
It also promised to provide staff with additional training.
However, Spooner and her supporters feel that the apology is insufficient. Family members have since led protests outside the YMCA. They have demanded accountability and structural changes to make sure that all the members are treated fairly and with dignity.
Racist lady calls the police on a landscaper, and his KIDS who were helping him, after she realized they were Black.
Props to the officer who arrived on the scene for what he did. 🙏🏽 pic.twitter.com/2ou8IlP6co
— Mr. Christopher (@iamalmostlegend) October 25, 2024
The story has also drawn national attention. Many believe that calling the police on a black person who just stood for what was right is an overreaction and is rooted in deeper issues. Critics have called this unnecessary escalation of a situation in public space, and how it is no different than calling the police on black people just for existing.
Supporters of Spooner point to her calm demeanor in the video. They have called this the evidence against her being labelled as disruptive, and the member who mocked her and flipped her the finger has not been called out.
The YMCA wasn’t always about hoops and swimming! Hear the org’s surprising origin story—a place for Bible study, prayer, AND exercise instead of taverns. Who knew? https://t.co/KO0JrkLhr3 pic.twitter.com/jZNSHIbNFg
— Truth & Liberty (@truthlibertyco) August 21, 2025
The South Boston YMCA incident shows how the ongoing tensions around race, equity, and inclusion have seeped into everyday community life. It also shows the need for compassion and understanding among the members. The need to dial 911 and call the police over every matter is also unnecessary.
For now, Spooner’s family continues to press for justice. The YMCA has to work harder to repair its reputation. However, what is clear is that a minor disagreement over a chair has led to the need to have a larger conversation about respect, accountability and belonging in America for everyone.
We really need to segregate. I don’t care that white people don’t like me, but it’s ridiculous to have to fight to force people to take our money when we can keep that in our own community and open our own clubs where we’re actually welcome. We literally have to fight white people for the privilege to make them richer than ourselves. They keep telling us they don’t want our money, believe them and go elsewhere.
The only reason they’re not putting up signs is because it’s more satisfying to see you get arrested than for you to walk by, but as soon as you enter they keep saying they don’t want us there. Believe them. People get punched for much less than this.
America is a mess and akways been finna lie. A similar incident happened to me at a bank. I was askef to leave and told to leave becuz the bank wouldnt accept my cc payment becuz my birthday was incorrect in their system.