The owner of an independent cinema at the centre of a row over Covid passes has said she is being acted on by "some very dark forces".
Cinema & Co had vowed not to enforce the Covid pass scheme and announced it would 'take a stand' against the new measures which came into force earlier this month, and apply to cinemas, theatres and concert halls, calling them 'discriminatory and unlawful'.
Last week the Castle Street venue was issued by Swansea Council with a closing order, telling the owners to shut for a maximum of 28 days. A Swansea Council spokesman said at the time that the notice was issued due to the absence of any measures to protect the public against Covid 19.
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But the venue re-opened the next day, with owner Anna Redfern saying: "I will continue to trade responsibly and in line with all the other businesses in the immediate area. I am a single mum with two small boys and I will not allow a council officer with a clipboard to end my right to provide for my family".
The council said in response that it was considering further steps to ensure the venue complied with the current Covid regulations.
Ms Redfern has this afternoon issued a video statement on the cinema's Facebook page.
In it she thanked everyone for the 'utterly breathtaking' support she had received from around the UK and 'even the world', including from 'footballers, doctors and nurses'.
She claimed: "My life has become absolutely surreal. Unfortunately the downside is that I'm being acted on by so many forces out of my control, some very dark. I absolutely reject any claims that I am in any way connected to far right groups, far left groups or any form of racism. The reason I made a stand in the first place was because I feel so horrified that the Government is trying to impose restrictions on our freedoms. Right now my primary focus is being a mother, challenging Swansea Council's unlawful closure and running my business."
It came as the cinema advised people to stay away this afternoon after reports a Black Lives Matter protest would take place outside the venue in protest at 'accusations of racism about us and our staff'.
In a post on social media, Cinema & Co claimed it was "subject to some negative feedback".
The post read: "Thank you for all your messages of support and encouragement last night. It means so much to us here at Cinema & Co. However, we were subject to some negative feedback.
"The Political Organisation Black Lives Matter (BLM) have put out a number of social media posts and organised a demo outside of Cinema & Co making statements and accusations of racism about us and our staff."
It added that there was no evidence to back up claims of racism, and that a comment made with good intention had been misinterpreted.
"We urge all customers and friends to stay away from Cinema & Co from 4pm onwards on Monday 22nd November as a precaution."
Images suggesting a scheduled protest at the venue today were circulating on social media overnight but have since been removed.
Within the post the cinema also addressed the issue of fundraising currently ongoing to support the venue in its stance, on a crowdfunding website. The total raised so far is just short of £60,000.
The post says: "We have no affiliation to ANY political party or organisation whatsoever. We have simply taken a stand on the issue of ‘Covid Passes’ as they are an infringement on our fundamental and inherent rights. As a result, people and organisations from across the political spectrum may agree with our stance. This DOES NOT mean that we support their stance on other issues. Our position is simply about freedom for ALL. We are against discrimination in ALL forms, whether it is relating to race, gender, sexual orientation, disability or health choice/status. We distance ourselves from ANY organisation that discriminates.
"To be absolutely clear: We have not sought out or accepted funding from anyone; individual or organisations. We are aware that a crowdfunding page was set up to help us in our current situation. To repeat. This is nothing to do with us and will have nothing to do with Cinema & Co in the future. Our plan is simply to continue with our right to earn a living, like every other human being on this planet."
A spokesperson for Black Lives Matter Swansea confirmed the demonstration had been cancelled.
But the group argued that the crowdfunder and some of the other ongoing support to the venue had been hijacked by right wing supporters who they argued had a history of racist behaviour.
"We want to deter the owner from taking money and accepting support from racists. We have chosen to cancel the protest as we were aware these groups would also be present. We did not want anyone to be in the firing line and mitigate any potential damage," they said.
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