Rep. Madison Cawthorn compares vaccine mandates to 'modern day segregation'

Rep. Madison Cawthorn, R-N.C., compared vaccine mandates implemented by the federal government to modern-day segregation. 

According to The Hill, the freshmen congressmen appeared on Newsmax Tuesday to discuss the Biden administration’s recent federal vaccine mandates.  

Newsmax’s Chris Salcedo provided the example of three black women in New York City who were denied entry to a restaurant due to their vaccination status. According to The Hill, the women claimed their denial was based on racism rather than their vaccination status. 

Cawthorn responded to the controversy by saying he agrees with the women’s assertions. 

“I can’t believe I’m actually agreeing with them, but this is weaponized mandates, when no American, regardless of skin color, should be giving up their personal liberty so easily. ... Right now, what you’re seeing is, you’re seeing this medical apartheid, which is causing modern-day segregation,” Cawthorn said. 

Salcedo went on to note that large numbers of unvaccinated remain within minority populations. As a result, they are more likely to get denied entry to establishments that require proof of vaccination. 

“Every single minority activist should be up in arms right now, saying, ‘You are hurting the people who need help the very most with this actual mandate.’ It should be rescinded, and we should never be a country that forces mandates down the throats of Americans,” Cawthorn added.

Cawthorn’s comments come just a few weeks after President Biden implement a vaccine mandate for companies with over 100 employees.