Mesquite City Council Woman, Annie Black, faced a backlash of opinion for holding a public gathering on Saturday, April 25, during the Corona Virus Pandemic.
Black, along with many Mesquite residents are tired of Nevada being shut down; they want to re-open parks, businesses and the opportunity for residents to take care of their families.
The opposing residents want to continue to “shelter in place” and “stay safe.” They feel that Black’s rally to “Open Nevada” is selfish, that she is risking lives and she does not care.
Black said, “I absolutely do care about them and that’s why we’re doing this. I don’t think; I know people are hurting from this shutdown.”
There have been many applications for small businesses loans to get through the shutdown. They have been processed at both the Bank of Nevada and America First Credit Union.
Black said, “From what I understand, one of our banks, I won’t name which one, has done a lot of those loans but we need more.” The estimates she has heard right now is that 20% of Mesquite businesses will not be reopening.
Social distancing measures were a concern for the rally and for the most part, people stayed to themselves or with family members. Most were standing in the spaces with an automobile between them and others. There were a few who decided that social distancing was not for them. When questioned about it Black said, “I brought masks, I’ve brought hand sanitizer gel, I’ve told everyone and informed them, please social distance. There’s not much I can do to control what people do. I’m doing the best that I can to try to help them abide by the social distancing but at the end of the day these are free people, there out here and it’s their life; their life, their choice.”
One of the gentlemen at the rally was an off-road racing business owner. Since all outdoor events have been cancelled, there is a loss of revenue from many different aspects of the sport. He wasn’t thrilled to discuss the money details on camera. Through some research and questioning others involved with the sport there are many things to consider with any sporting event closure. The amounts of revenue are varied depending on the event, but the loss of revenue expands to all the people involved in the sport. Sponsors, drivers, equipment sales, tires, money invested into the vehicles which a person is unable to recoup once spent, marketing agents, press…the list goes on and the loss for everyone is the loss of their means of support. This is the same loss that all professional sports events are creating. It is not just the big sports folks losing the money; the loss of revenue follows the trickle-down theory in the case of Corona virus shutdowns all the way down to the concession workers. The events are held at many different venues, so the loss is staggering and wide spread.
Black began the rally by thanking our veterans and pointing out that the flag which stood behind her on the truck did two tours of duty in the Marine Corps with its owner. She announced the new Mesquite Republican Women’s Office is now located in the Sun Valley Plaza and thanked plaza owner, Jeff Hoyt, for his great deal. Black always puts God before country and said a prayer, requested 30 seconds of silence for everyone we’ve lost to the virus then the crowd recited the Pledge of Allegiance together.
Black spoke more encouraging words then everyone got into their vehicles and began the drive around town.
While the caravan drove down Pioneer Blvd., they received many shouts of support. Cars pulled over to call out or honk in return when supporters of “Open Nevada” drove by waving, honking and displaying signs telling Governor Sisolak exactly how they felt about the closure of Nevada.
You can hear Black’s words, “Let my people go!” for yourself on our facebook page.
Live video of the rally: https://www.facebook.com/Mesquite-Citizen-Journal-102038241455013/.
Black and other Mesquite residents are planning another rally/BBQ at Sun Valley Plaza on Saturday, May 2 at 9 a.m.
