If you have not yet filled out this survey about whether or not protests should occur to push back on government overreach during this time of crisis, please do so as soon as you can! A description of why we need your input is pasted below my signature if you have the time and want to read it, but it is not necessary to read in order to fill out the survey.

 

It is vital we know what our supporters think so that we have time to help people get organized, should we go down that path. Thank you in advance for filling it out!

In liberty,

 

Jenny Beth Martin

The goal of this survey is to poll our supporters on their opinions about a potential national day of action on April 24. Before beginning this survey, here is a little more information about what these protests would entail and why there is interest in organizing them.

 

First: what are these? These would be protests against government overreach during this crisis. Each protest organizer would decide if they want to put together a “drive-by” protest only, an in-person protest only, or a combination of the two. In a drive-by protest, people stay in their cars and drive a certain route. In this case, it would likely be around the State Capitol or around City Hall, etc. In Michigan this past week, they called their protest Operation Gridlock. The pros of holding a mixed event is that those who are very high risk could still participate by joining the car protest, and those that want to make a statement could gather in-person on the steps of the Capitol or the sidewalk, etc. It would be up to the organizers and the attendees to figure out what the law is and whether or not to follow it. For example, if it is required by law to wear a face mask, it would be up to each individual to decide whether or not to wear it. Tea Party Patriots Action cannot advise on this issue. Organizers could choose to have guest speakers or not as well.

 

In some states that are geographically large, like Texas, California, etc., organizers may want more than one location. If it is the city/local governments that need protesting, it would be focused on City Hall, rather than the State Capitol. This would be determined by what is going on in each state and city. One size doesn’t fit all, and these would look different in different places.

 

Second: why? In many states, counties, and cities, there has been terrible government overreach. Churches are closed, and in some places, local authorities wouldn’t even allow a drive-in service on Easter, when nobody got out of their cars! Some places are micromanaging businesses, telling them what they can and cannot sell, with “essential items” determined by government officials as though we live in the USSR. This is America, and as Mark Levin has said, we can do two things at once. We can protect the vulnerable with specific guidelines AND allow Americans to work and support their families. Too many elected officials have allowed their inner tyrants to come out, using a crisis to trample our God-given, Constitutionally-protected rights.

There are at least 22 million Americans unemployed so-far. That is 22 million personal tragedies, with anxiety, stress, and desperation knocking at the door, through no fault of their own. If grocery stores, banks, hardware stores, liquor stores, and restaurants can find ways to balance social distancing, do business, and keep people employed, then so can churches and other types of businesses. For instance, why can’t a nail salon organize their appointments in such a way as to follow social distancing guidelines, increase and follow sanitizing guidelines, and reopen?? Why do politicians get to decide who can stay open and who can’t, instead of offering guidelines to everyone – even if they are industry-specific – so that Americans can work?!

 

More than likely, there are important guidelines that can be developed by medical professionals and business owners/industry experts that would balance the needs of public health and the economy.

 

We must remember to lean ON the Constitution in a crisis, not abandon it.