Plaintiffs’ Official statement from today’s hearing:
We always knew that this case would go to the Supreme Court. Today, when Judge Wendell Griffen issued a ruling that contradicts the plain language of the Emergency Services Act, we learned that it would be the plaintiffs filing that appeal. Judge Griffen’s ruling, unfortunately, would result in the Governor have unlimited authority to keep Arkansans under the yoke of an unending state of emergency, with absolutely no input from the legislature. That cannot be the law, and, in fact, that isn’t the law. Such an extreme position is both unconstitutional and all but ensures the realization of the maxim that “power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” The plaintiffs here represent all of the people of Arkansas who seek to maintain some control over their own lives pursuant to their God-given rights as recognized in the Constitution, and we’re hopeful that the Supreme Court will agree.
Additional from Re-Open Arkansas:
The hearing this morning was a complete sham. Do not be discouraged – we never expected to win in Pulaski County. After lecturing our lawyer about masks, the judge ruled that the governor has unlimited power, and under the 1973 Emergency Services Act, he can basically do anything he sees fit. Judge Wendell Griffen completely ignored that the Administrative Procedures Act clearly limits the emergency rules to 120 days. We remain committed to fully re-opening Arkansas, returning to the February normal, and ending the governor’s ridiculous and totalitarian mandates. Click the Contribute link to help us fight for you!
Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Keep up the good fight! In my years as a police officer I found it all too common for District and Circuit Court Judges to ignore portions of statutes for political purposes!
Why can’t we sue in every county that we live in? Whu must we sue in Pulaski County? Just because the Capitol js in Little Rock, why can’t we sue in the County we live in? 76 individual suits against the judges and governor to inforce Act 1002. #hall4house99
By statute, you can only sue in liberal Pulaski County. The law needs to be changed, allowing suits in the petitioner’s county of residence.