[ April 24, 2024 ]
How is this legal? It’s a direct violation of our Constitutional rights. The First Amendment protects our right to assemble and express our views through protest.
California bans protests at state Capitol after opposition to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s coronavirus stay-at-home order
By: Dustin Gardiner, SF Chronicle, April 22, 2020:
Story continues below advertisementHundreds gather to protest shelter-in-place rules at the state Capitol in Sacramento. Some people intentionally jammed roads while honking and holding signs, while others ignored social-distancing rules by gathering in close proximity, blaring Americana music and shouts to end the lockdown.
Protesters calling for an end to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s stay-at-home orders rally at the state Capitol in Sacramento. The California Highway Patrol announced Wednesday that it is temporarily banning rallies at the state Capitol and other state facilities due to the pandemic. The change came after hundreds of protestors gathered on the Capitol grounds Monday, many not wearing masks or following recommendations to remain 6 feet apart.
Just days after hundreds of protesters converged on the state Capitol to oppose Gov. Gavin Newsom’s stay-home order, the California Highway Patrol said it won’t issue permits for further demonstrations on state property anywhere in California.
The ban on large public events will remain in place until health officials decide it’s safe for people to gather in large groups given measures to slow the spread of the coronavirus, CHP officials said.
“In the interest of public safety and the health of all Californians during the COVID-19 pandemic, effective immediately the California Highway Patrol will deny any permit requests for events or activities at all state facilities, to include the state Capitol, until public health officials have determined it is safe to gather again,” CHP Officer John Ortega told The Chronicle.
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SubscribeOn Monday, protesters with American flags and Make America Great Again hats crowded outside the Capitol in Sacramento to demand an end to the shelter-in-place order. A convoy of cars drove around the complex for hours as others cheered from the Capitol grounds.
The protesters argued strict public-health orders — which medical experts credit with slowing the spread of the coronavirus — have unnecessarily forced people out of work and upended normal life.
Stefanie Duncan Fetzer, an Orange County activist who helped plan the rally, said protesters are considering whether to file a lawsuit against the state, arguing the policy violates their right to freedom of speech.
“It’s unfortunate that the CHP has opted to violate their oath of office by violating the Constitution,” she said.
Duncan Fetzer said the group has an application “pending” for a May 1 protest at the Capitol. She added, “We’re not going to change our plans.”
The CHP issued a permit for Monday’s protest and troopers did not prevent attendees from gathering on the Capitol steps and lawn. Organizers placed a lectern, portable toilet and handwashing stations on the grounds for their event.
On Wednesday, the CHP said the permit for Monday’s protest was granted with an understanding that the event would respect public-health guidance.
“That is not what occurred (on Monday), and the CHP has taken that experience into account,” Ortega said.
He said the agency had denied a permit request for another protest that would have occurred Wednesday.
If protesters gather on Capitol grounds without a permit, the CHP is prepared to issue citations and make arrests, Ortega said. Protesters are still allowed to be in their cars or gather on city sidewalks.
Kevin Baker, director of legislative affairs for the American Civil Liberties Union of California, said while the organization staunchly defends free speech, it’s “clear from a long body of case law” that government may impose reasonable restrictions on the time, place and manner of speech.
“The question is what’s reasonable under these conditions,” he said.
Baker said it appears the CHP’s policy during the pandemic is “content neutral” and motivated by public-health concerns, but he questioned whether an indefinite ban on protests on all state property “might go further than what is really needed.”
One group sponsoring Monday’s rally, Operation Gridlock California, gave attendees conflicting instructions about social distancing on Facebook. On its event invitation, the group told protesters to “STAY in your VEHICLES!”
Then, in an event flyer posted on Facebook, the group told protesters to “park and join us on the west steps” of the Capitol “to demand that we reopen California.”
The demonstrations come as President Trump tweeted that people should “liberate” their states from stay-home orders. He has pushed to reopen the economy more quickly, and has clashed with governors.
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46 Comments3 years ago‘The California Highway Patrol announced Wednesday that it is temporarily
banning rallies at the state Capitol and other state facilities due to
the pandemic.’
Yeah it’s just temporary, like the PRC ban on public protests to their totalitarian state.
Maybe Trump should declare war on Californication then do a Sherman’s march to the sea type of thing on San Franfreaksco, Hollywood and Silicon Valley.3 years agoReply to MuhamMUDTheFakeProphetJust don’t let us freedom loving people in this state get caught up in that ‘cleansing.’
3 years agoReply to santashandlerYes, I see your point, but in San FranFreaksco and Silicon Valley there’s nothing BUT traitors and degenerates?
3 years agoReply to santashandlerMy goal is to see Welcome to California in my rearview mirror and then never again.
3 years agoReply to MuhamMUDTheFakeProphetYou might have a hard time seeing it, because my car will be blocking your view of it. 🙂
3 years agoReply to santashandlerLOL. Where to go? Montana? Az? Texas? Alaska? Someplace w/a secessionist movement…
3 years agoTrump Knows Kim Jong-un is Sick
On Monday April 27 Trump said he had a “very good idea” of Kim’s condition.
“Yes, I do have a very good idea, but I can’t talk about it now,” Trump said at the White House on April 27. “I do know how he’s doing, relatively speaking. We will see. You will probably be hearing in the not-too-distant future,” he added. “I just wish him well.”
If Trump knew that Kim was healthy, he would say so. Wishing Kim well is an implicit statement that he is sick.3 years agoReply to Michael GoldmanHi Michael: Well, according to me, Trump is saying Kim is near death. The wording, the emotion with which it was said, suggests imminent mortality. Other evidence includes:
1. I posted a photo of Kim from April 10, the day before Kim’s disappearance, where he looks very ill from fever, headache, and respiratory distress.
2. Photos in the capitol, Pyongyang, show everyone wearing face masks, when Kim said they had no Covid-19 at all. Clearly, the disease is prevalent there.
3. Panic food buying has started in Pyongyang, suggesting that they sense a crisis is imminent
4. The Norks have begun substantial military movements and readiness, and those usually accompany the fall of any tyrant.
5. Silly missives published in the Nork news about letters Kim just wrote — but no Kim in person.
6. Trump: “You will probably be hearing in the not-too-distant future”. In cases of Covid-19 fatalities, the average time from hospitalization to death is 17 days. It is now 17 days since Kim disappeared from public view on April 11.3 years agoReply to DemocracyRulesPanic food buying in Pyongyang must be interesting, does that mean the bread lines are 4 times as long as they normally are? Or that they run out of food 4 times as fast?
3 years agoReply to MuhamMUDTheFakeProphetApparently they are selling their cell phones buy food. Many can’t afford rice, and have to eat gruel. And the capital city is the most prosperous area.
3 years agoReply to MuhamMUDTheFakeProphetThey better not cross into China .. it’s just about time for the annual Chinese festivals. And, if they make it to North America … they need to STAY AWAY from the “indigenous” population. “Dig Deep. Puppy in the bottom.”
3 years agoReply to MuhamMUDTheFakeProphetThe “dig deep, puppy in the bottom” is an old family tale. It’s long, too long for a forum. Moreover, to have it properly told requires a fire and bourbon.
3 years agoReply to felix1999LOL. As long as there are plenty of dogs in N. Korea they won’t need soylent green!
3 years agoReply to felix1999Great ad. In the movie, they didn’t even have it in cans. They shoveled it into a plastic(gasp! plastic) bag for you. When they would run out, things got ugly. A movie everyone needs to see.
3 years agoReply to MuhamMUDTheFakeProphetAre they buying up all the Charmin, like what happened here in the US ???
3 years agoReply to edI thought they used sandpaper in N. Korea (at least for the proletariat) because it encourages frugality.
3 years agoReply to MuhamMUDTheFakeProphetNo bread lines. Sal (uncooked rice) lines, perhaps .. but bong (bread) is a bit much for that nation. Bong is for the elite and they don’t wait in any lines.
3 years agoReply to DemocracyRulesKim most likely has the virus. He is obese and a heavy cigarette smoker. A reporter made the comment when Trump crossed over the DMZ and Kim nervously reciprocated, Kim was out of breath.
3 years agoReply to felix1999Yes Felix, that’s my best guess too. I did not want to go too far with that, because I’m not certain what the problem is. But Trump’s comments are very clear that Kim is very ill, and he may not get better.
3 years agoReply to DemocracyRulesGreat post. Very late up vote for you. Thanks for making the effort.
3 years agoSay this slowly; “we the government forbid you the citizen from protesting of or against we the government”. Now do it in a British accent. “Bri-ish” ya know.
3 years agoExactly the type of garbage to expect from this state.
3 years agoHello, A.G. Barr? Where are you? Just talk as usual?
Attorney General Bill Barr – “The Constitution is Not Suspended in Times of Crisis”… Is the right to peacefully assemble still allowed by your definition of the Constitution?The First Amendment to the United States Constitution states “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress …
3 years agoReply to felix1999So, does this mean he will seek to nullify the prosecutions of people who were fined for going to churches, beaches, etc.?
3 years agoReply to santashandlerNope. This came out … just in time for Ram-a-Dong.
Would you expect anything less out of Fat Willy’s DOJ?
3 years agoHere we have a real COLLUSION and CONSPIRACY !
DEMS love it! Of course it is for your SAFETY and GOOD.
Totalitarians know what is best for you. SHUT UP and OBEY!3 years agoThe Nazis have tasted power, and they’re not going to give it up without a fight. If you hate this, in 2020, vote every Democrat out of every office in America. Never vote for one of these anti-constitutional traitors gain, even if it’s for dog-catcher, and he’s your brother.
3 years agoAll federal funding to states violating the Constitutional right to assemble should be withheld until the states comply.
3 years agoThe Rockie Mountains are on the western side of the country, causing the continent to tilt, and everything loose rolled to California.
3 years agoYou get what you Pay/Vote For
I can’t feel for the State,with the unwritten motto
” welcome to the ‘Cake and Eat it Too ! ‘ .. State
3 years agoReply to dingoSay goodbye to the donkey. This is what they should have for their mascot.
3 years agoCivil Disobedience is mandated as a response to this fascist/Marxist dictatorship action. Massive civil disobedience – crowds far too large for “law” enforcement to handle. This as a direct challenge to our Constitutional rights, and be aware that an armed response is likely to occur from the dictatorship.
3 years agoThe socialists/communists are trying to overwhelm the Attorney General’s office so he won’t have time to investigate/prosecute
3 years agoLMAO!!! So the illegal lock-down has turned up with an illegal order to not protest as US Citizens have the right to do under the Constitution!!!!
