Month: September 2020

Our suit was filed on September 3^rd. The state just responded this week with a 3 page Motion to Dismiss and a 27 page brief, making some illogical arguments that we should be able to rebut and overcome. The Story Law Firm is crafting a response on our behalf and will be filing it very soon. In that response, we will request an immediate hearing. While the court ultimately determines the hearing date, the emergency nature of our suit should get us a quick hearing.

The state’s answer is posted below. We will also post our brief as soon as it is completed. If you feel so inclined, you may now contribute to the legal effort. (Note: do NOT contribute if this will keep your family from eating.) While we are working for all of you to free the entire state, if you feel that you have a case yourself and want to give advice or direction, please hire your own lawyer and file your own case. We highly encourage multiple lawsuits. Unfortunately, when too many people get involved in decision-making, it slows the entire process.

Contributions made in support of this important litigation, though brought on your behalf, do not make you a party to this action. While we will make our best effort to keep you apprised of the process, we may not be able to personally communicate with each of you regarding the case status.

Go Fund Me link http://gf.me/u/ysd3mq

This is a form of the resolution you should demand that both your city council and local school board pass. This is what puts pressure on the governor! Remember to talk to your city council members and school board members – they are the ones who can help. The mayors and superintendents, while many may agree, are less likely to be supportive.

Many have asked, “What can we do right NOW, while we await further action on the lawsuit?” Every city in Arkansas and most mayors and city council members have a facebook page. Send the below video and ask your mayors, council members, and local Chamber of Commerce what they’re doing to regain control of their cities and school districts and restore our local economies, (*text of draft message is below for your convenience/use – tailor it as you like.)

Action Steps:

1.) Locate your local city fb page, mayor’s page, chamber of commerce page, and city council members’ pages. “Like” them.

2.) Write comments and questions and share the link to Dan’s video: https://youtu.be/X0WKjkSOmk0

Sample letter to your mayor and city council members:

Is the City advocating/campaigning to regain local control of our own businesses, school district, and events? With Covid transmission now extremely low per ADH, and the “emergency” over by any reasonable definition, the one-size-fits-all Governor/ADH dictatorship must end; it won’t unless local officials demand it. Please watch Senator-Elect Sullivan’s exchange with the Arkansas Municipal League (attached) and request the league to pursue coordinated efforts seeking local control. Additionally, please pass a resolution urging the governor to call a special session of the legislature so representative government may be restored. As a member of the nearly 5k strong and growing Reopen Arkansas Group, I can assure you that citizens are fed up with the current arbitrary and often uncalled for directives of the Governor’s Health Department. Election time is coming. I appreciate your consideration and prompt action.

Sample letter to your local chamber of commerce:

Is the ________ Chamber advocating/campaigning to regain local control of our own businesses and local events? With Covid transmission now extremely low per ADH and the “emergency” over by any rational definition, the one-size-fits-all Governor/ADH dictatorship must end; it won’t unless we and our local officials demand it. Please watch Senator-Elect Sullivan’s exchange with the Arkansas Municipal League (attached) and request the Chamber, your members, and local elected officials pursue a return to local control. Additionally, please urge local elected officials to pass a resolution urging the governor to call a special session of the legislature so representative government may be restored. Businesses, employees, and families are suffering and fed up with the current arbitrary and often uncalled for directives of the Governor’s Health Department. It’s time for a return to local control and representative government, and for the top-down governance that has consumed Arkansas to end. I appreciate your consideration and request the support of the _______ Chamber.

You can also send these in the form of an email. Be sure to include the link to Dan’s video. You can cut and paste this link anywhere: https://youtu.be/X0WKjkSOmk0

CALL TO ACTION:

We have an increasing number of members demanding new or additional legal action. While this may become necessary, right now we are waiting on the legal process. The ADH has until October 4^th to answer our lawsuit. At that time, we can decide what we do next legally.

Remember, most of you reading this post have only been involved for weeks, not months. These lawsuits in other states started long before ours – Pennsylvania started on May 7. Arkansas was slow to respond, but more people are fired up now than ever. So here is what you need to do, today:

1. Call your local school board members (all of them). If you don’t know who they are, look on your school district website or call the superintendent’s office and ask for their contact info. Tell your school board members that they need to pass a resolution and send to the governor demanding (a) an end to the state of emergency and (b) a special legislative session.
2. Call your local city council members (all of them). If you don’t know who they are, look on your city website or call the mayor’s office and ask for their contact info. Tell your city council members that they need to pass a resolution and send to the governor demanding (a) an end to the state of emergency and (b) a special legislative session.

If we can get a dozen school districts and as many city councils to pass these resolutions, we believe it will greatly impact the governor’s actions. Know that we are continuing to fight for you every day, but we need you to fight along with us. Please do this and confirm in the comments below when you’ve contacted them.