A Center City woman was taken into custody for reportedly refusing to move out of the line of a delivery robot.
The altercation was captured on video and has since drawn online attention.
Philadelphia police said officers arrived at the 1200 block of Filbert Street after witnesses reported a disturbance between Carolyn Marvin and an Uber delivery robot near Reading Terminal Market.
According to authorities, Marvin continuously obstructed the robot’s route and defied multiple orders from officials to move.
She was arrested and charged with disorderly behavior.
According to Action News, Marvin was opposing the employment of delivery robots, as she believes they are displacing human workers. I know they’re taking human delivery workers’ jobs, so I’ve been protesting them every time I see them, standing in front of them and preventing them from moving forward,” Marvin stated.
She described her acts as protected speech.
Marvin claims she has encountered delivery robots several times, including a September event on Broad Street that drew notice on social media.
Ashley Baldwin of West Philadelphia reported witnessing one of these incidents. I truly thought the robot hit her, so my first inquiry was, “Are you okay? Did the robot attack you?” She replied, ‘No, I need to end this.” They’re taking over the world,” Baldwin stated.
Marvin confirmed her intention to continue protesting against robots. I do. “Why not?” Marvin stated. “I think it’s my First Amendment right to publicly demonstrate on a sidewalk to protest against delivery robots.”
Marvin expressed her hope that the viral occurrence will spark discussion about delivery robots, artificial intelligence, and their expanding role in everyday life.
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