Americans have been warning on social media about how easily citizens are willing to cede their rights to the government when an international health crisis like coronavirus occurs. We found the comment below on Facebook. While the comment below doesn’t specifically identify constitutional rights that are being violated, it does point out how quickly the government can take control of every aspect of our lives.
What happened in Champaign, Illinois with an emergency order issued by their mayor should send chills down the spine of every American.
WAND-TV reports- Champaign Mayor Deborah Frank Feinen has issued an executive order declaring an emergency in the city.
City officials said the emergency is related to the COVID-19, which is anticipated to cause an impact on the health of community members. Champaign Municipal Code allows the mayor to declare an emergency for a limited time.
Included in the executive order are ordinances that would give the city extraordinary powers to the Mayor.
- Violating parts of the Open Meetings Act
- Ban sale of firearms and ammunition
- Ban sale of any alcohol
- Closing of all bars, taverns, liquor stores, etc
- Ban sale or giving away of gasoline or other liquid flammable or combustible products in any container other than a gasoline tank permanently fixed to a motor vehicle
- Direct the shutoff of power, water, gas, etc
- Take possession of private property and obtain full title to same
- Prohibit or restrict ingress and egress to and from the City
“The executive order allows the city to be flexible to properly respond to the emergency needs of our community. None of the options will necessarily be implemented but are available in order to protect the welfare and safety of our community if needed,” Jeff Hamilton the City of Champaign’s Communications Manager told WAND-TV.
Watch at about the 5:00 minute mark where a council member explains why the incredible power the executive order gives the city, all of which have absolutely nothing to do with the coronavirus. He uses the excuse that these powers have been written into the emergency code “for a long time.”
https://www.facebook.com/wandtv/videos/2291998504434164/?__xts__[0]=68.ARA-PWi-MSWPzoFUnx544_9tFdqyoYJjIdutk5Pyj0n4e_5dZAX6kkVjPb6tPMgIr_USMTpC2s_7SqluEoTz5xqVzFHa2fJ469qmayA5HHe2VLpoA0hQY2uE2lkOvXDBgr8-SLLQvdUn-nm7fKHvdgDpLnYSVH0-51C5ZuMtY7LiIHUhMfp8vpdtwElRIuHia9B1DS1E_qURMdZSGnueEI8a-EY5tXt4eGttwlwDYzEnjv8oaZiUT39TdT2iIPhmCRN064IrvPA-gNV8fCa6mYJz4yXKakGiDthF_1nCZjNRzYMvLwtAV732gyaZiZnvbGHaBZENB-WjaM2d9Z9ZyRHBi1M&__tn__=-R
Citizens of Champaign are furious. Some of the comments from citizens that found next to the video on Facebook include:
How dare they recite the pledge before the infringement on our rights by which the pledge stands for! Just absolutely embarrassing people just embarrassing.
This is asinine.
The citizens of Champaign do not give you the power or right to do this.
We as the people must stand together against the government this isn’t okay.
An absolute over reach of local government. Absolutely ridiculous.
What’s this got to do with the virus?
Government coming to control you by any means necessary. Look how easy it was with a slightly more deadly flu….
Read the constitution people… the right to bear arms shall not be infringed upon
The City of Champaign made a statement on Facebook to clarify that “there is currently no firearm ban and no intent to seize property or close businesses.” They added, “Additionally, there are no restrictions on the sale of alcohol or gas or the ability to enter or leave Champaign.” At the end of the document, they state that Municipal code 12-39 allows them to do these things, but they assure everyone that “under the known circumstances, no further measures are anticipated.”
https://www.facebook.com/ChampaignCity/photos/a.245897008766375/2899688700053846/?type=3&theater
WAND-TV asked the mayor about the provisions.
“So many of those powers, I have had from the beginning,” Mayor Deborah Feinen, said. “All we have done is enumerate them and now the public is aware of them. So, I am the liquor commissioner. I can shut down bars yesterday, I could have shut them down two years ago. Nothing has changed with respect to that, it is just that we have laid it out, so people are aware of that. In respect to the other items that are listed in the attachment, they have been listed in the city code for 15 years.”
