Officers responded to the 1200 block of Filbert Street after witnesses reported a disturbance involving Carolyn Marvin and an Uber delivery robot, according to police. Police said Marvin refused multiple commands to move from the robot’s path.

Marvin said she was protesting the use of delivery robots because she believes they are displacing human workers. She told a local television station that she has stopped robots by standing in front of them and preventing them from moving. She also described the demonstrations as protected speech.

“I think it’s my First Amendment right to publicly demonstrate on a sidewalk to protest against delivery robots,” Marvin said.

Marvin said she has confronted delivery robots several times, including during a September incident on Broad Street that drew attention on social media. West Philadelphia resident Ashley Baldwin, who said she witnessed one encounter, recalled asking Marvin whether a robot had hit her. Baldwin said Marvin responded that she wanted to stop the robots from taking over.

Marvin said she plans to continue protesting and hopes the incident prompts discussion about delivery robots, artificial intelligence and their expanding presence in daily life. The police account describes the alleged obstruction and officers’ commands; Marvin says her actions were a protest. The available information does not say whether the robot was damaged or whether anyone was injured.