Team Geels,

If you haven't already heard about this, please read below. I am asking
everyone and anyone to attend the Orange County Board of
Commissioners meeting TOMORROW NIGHT, TUESDAY, JUNE 21. If you can, meet at
6:30pm to PEACEFULLY protest outside the Whitted Building, 300 W. Tryon St
in Hillsborough. Then at 7:00, sign up to speak (limited to 3 minutes) or
be present to support those who are speaking out. Each person is allowed 3
minutes to speak, so practice and time yourself and they are limiting
public comment to one hour total.

The discussion about regulating gatherings on 6/2/22 begins at 39:00 and
lasts for 1 hour at this link:

*[link removed]
<[link removed]>*

The complete agenda for 6/21 is at this link:

*[link removed]
<[link removed]>*

This is from David Ogden, ocstruth.org:

The Orange County Board of Commissioners will vote on a regulation that is
an unequivocal and sweeping violation of the First Amendment rights of
every Orange County Citizen.

The First Amendment 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
of grievances.*

The new regulation the board is voting on (see attachment) will make it
illegal for: *one or more persons to gather for any common purpose
including but not limited to vigil, protest, observation, demonstration, or
other action which promotes or objects to a person, policy, political
candidate, issue, or action.*

This regulation, which may be adopted TOMORROW night, will apply to anyone
gathering for any purpose on or within 1,000 feet of any school property or
any playground in Orange County.

This means that in Orange County:

- It will be illegal for parents to gather at a school property for the
common purpose of discussing school policies, asking questions about events
that have occurred, speaking about ideas for improvement, or raising
questions about policies or actions they disagree with. According to the
law, these types of actions would constitute a violation: *gathering to
promote, or object to, an issue or action.*
- Likewise, it will be illegal for an individual parent to come on or
near school grounds, to either support or object to the actions of any
teacher or administrator or to support or object to any issue at their
child's school. According to the law, this type of action would constitute
a violation: *one or more persons acting to promote or object to a
person, policy, issue, or action.*
- It will be illegal for a family, or group of neighbors, to gather at
Gold Park for a Fourth of July Celebration. According to the law, this type
of action would constitute a violation: *gathering to promote the issue
of Liberty.*
- In the event of the sudden loss of a beloved individual, it will be
illegal for the community to hold a vigil or observation to support each
other and grieve on or near school property or at/near parks with
playgrounds. According to the law, this type of action would constitute a
violation: *gathering to vigil and gathering to promote a person.*

This law violates our fundamental rights:

- By abridging the *freedom of speech*
- By abridging the *right of the people peaceably to assemble*
- By abridging the *right of the people to petition the Government for a
redress of grievances*

While this law would be egregious if passed… if we allow it to pass, we’re
opening the door to our county government enhancing the law to prevent
freedom of speech and assembly on any government or public property.

Unlike recent school board policies that were quietly passed without the
knowledge of most of the community, we have a chance to make our voices
heard before this law passes.

We must do everything we can to prevent this. *Can you please do ALL THREE
of these actions?*

1. *Write a short email*, as soon as you can, to the Board of
Commissioners. Time is limited to reach them before the meeting, so please
email them now letting them know how you feel about the law they are
proposing. Send the email to: [email protected]. Please copy
[email protected] and *[email protected]
<[email protected]>* as well, as this can help create
accountability.
2. *Create a “Written Comment”* that will be made part of the record
during the upcoming meeting on Tuesday. Your comment can have the same
statement as your email to the Board of Commissioners. Send your written
comment to: [email protected]. Again, please copy
[email protected] and *[email protected]
<[email protected]>* so that we can ensure all written
comments are properly added to the record.
3. For now, we’re still free to gather in Orange County. *Come to the
board meeting* tomorrow night at 6:30 to protest and at 7 p.m. to speak
or support those who are speaking at the Whitted Building at 300 W. Tryon
St. and to support your constitutional rights. Consider sharing the message
you have sent as a public comment during the meeting.

*This **is a time where our community needs to act!* Please take the time
today to help prevent our rights from being stripped away.
Please email David at *[email protected] <[email protected]>* if
you have questions about this process, the proposed regulation, or how to
do any of the actions.

I would add one more thing:

- *If voting locations are on school property, does that mean poll
workers cannot be there?*

*Please consider any or all of the above 3 action steps. The sooner you
email, the better! In other words, do it now!*

*Fighting for Truth, Justice and Unity Together!*
Laurie Teper
Volunteer Coordinator
Courtney Geels for Congress NC04
Email: [email protected]
Cell: (847)212-5651
courtneygeelsforcongress.com