(Annie Black | May 6, 2020) – For the past two weekends I’ve organized caravan rallies in Mesquite to protest the #SisolakShutdown. Yesterday I received a “Notice of Violation” letter from the city’s Code Enforcement Officer.
The letter accuses the folks who have participated in the rallies of breaking Gov. Steve Sisolak’s emergency order banning “groups of ten (10) or more people from gathering in any indoor or outdoor public area.”
A similar cease-and-desist letter was sent to Mr. Jeff Hoyt, the owner of the Sun Valley Plaza shopping center where our caravans meet.
Both letters were clearly an effort to intimidate me, Mr. Hoyt and other citizens and were likely issued under orders by City Attorney Bob Sweetin – who, oh, also happens to be running for mayor!
I still don’t understand how a city employee can run for mayor without resigning from his city job, but that’s another issue for another day.
The bottom line is this…
Peaceful protests, in which citizens air grievances about their government, are not only protected by the Constitution – even in an “emergency” – but are an essential service to the public that are exempted from the governor’s order.
You can click here to read my full response to the cease-and-desist letter in which I explain how we are not in “violation.”
That being said, I spoke with Mr. Hoyt who said we were free to use Sun Valley Plaza again this Saturday for a new “Freedom & Liberty” caravan/rally. So we’ll be there again at 9:00 a.m. despite the cease-and-desist letter.
Only this time…
We’re going to alter the caravan route slightly and drive past City Hall – honking our horns and letting Mr. Sweetin know that we will not be threatened, coerced or shamed into voluntarily giving up our Free Speech rights.
Of course, for those who choose to follow the Code Enforcement directive and not participate this weekend, I absolutely respect that. That’s part of your freedom, as well.
One more unrelated item…
It was announced this week that in response to a lawsuit filed by the Nevada Democrat Party, the Clark County Election Department will be opening two additional in-person voting locations for the upcoming June 9 primary.
I will have petitions on-hand addressed to Joe Gloria, Clark County’s Registrar of Voters, urging that one of those additional in-person voting locations be set up in Mesquite rather than adding both to the Las Vegas area.
Why should Mesquite voters be forced to drive over an hour each way to cast their ballot in person when voters in metro Las Vegas already have a location?
See you at the “Freedom & Liberty” rally on Saturday!
P.S. Since I know he’s reading every one of my AnnieGrams (or having someone read them to him), let me renew my invitation to my opponent, Assemblyman Chris Edwards, to join us for the “Freedom & Liberty” rally Saturday…followed by an open-air public DEBATE.
Will we see you there, Chris? You know where and when.
QUOTE OF THE DAY“It does not take a majority to prevail, but rather an irate, tireless minority, keen on setting brushfires of freedom in the minds of men.” – Samuel Adams
Annie Black is a Mesquite City Councilwoman and Republican candidate for Nevada State Assembly District 19. You can get more information by visiting www.electannieblack.com
