Research for legislators

Please view and widely distribute our latest presentation to legislators. When the legislature meets starting January 11, it is crucial that our legislators vote to:

– end the governor’s unilateral power under the state of emergency;

– end the unconstitutional and unnecessary mask mandates;

– fully restore the rights and freedoms of Arkansans back to the February normal.

Contact us with any questions: mail@reopenarkansas.org

Asa show highlights 11/17/20: “postpone Thanksgiving”

  • Romero says to postpone Thanksgiving – see video attached. https://youtu.be/RVIKP9VObS8
  • Asa calling up 30 National Guard troops to investigate Covid cases.
  • Major spread is coming from household gatherings of fewer than 10 people. (Remember how last week singing in church caused the spread?)
  • ABC is stepping up enforcement of mask mandate in restaurants. Currently 93% of restaurants are in compliance. (Please list the 7% so we know where to eat!)
  • Asa is waiting on recommendations from his winter task force as to new restrictions to be announced soon.
  • Asa’s Thanksgiving will consist of a party with 7 people wearing masks, and he will have the windows open.

Senator Clark vs. Dr. Romero

Cumulative Covid death rates*:

Sweden – 585 per million

Arkansas – 573 per million

Listen to Senator Alan Clark’s takedown of Dr. Romero. https://youtu.be/fwsitqjAJbE

Maybe we should ask Dr. Romero – since he says “we should try to protect every life in this country, and in this state,” why not use the CARES Act money to combat abortion? Wouldn’t that be more effective than keeping Arkansas in partial shutdown mode, all masked up, while achieving no better result than Sweden?

* Death rates assume government figures are correct, which code everyone dying WITH Covid (as opposed to everyone dying FROM Covid) as a Covid death.

Lawsuit / hearing update Oct 14:

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!

Lawsuit update 10/13/20

It was not our original intention to make this lawsuit personal between the governor and the legislators. Because the AG’s office pushed the issue, we have now amended our lawsuit to include Asa. Attached, please see the amended petition and the summons.

There is an initial hearing on the state’s Motion to Dismiss tomorrow (Wednesday, October 14th) in Pulaski County Circuit Court. Understand that this is just a step. Win or lose, this matter will ultimately be decided by the Arkansas Supreme Court. We will post an update, letting you know what happens and what comes next.

Rest assured, our mission here is to fully re-open Arkansas, back to the February normal, and to end all of the governor’s mandates.

Municipal / School Board briefing papers

Attached are the briefing papers prepared by Chris Stafford that you can use to convince your local government or school board to consider a resolution in favor of a return to local control.

Our response to state

We filed our answer to the state’s Motion to Dismiss today. (The filed 19-page brief is posted below.) Interestingly, the state relies on a very weak argument that they have the right to regulate air or surface borne “toxins.” The 1973 law obviously intended “toxins” to be tanker spills on the interstate, an unintended release at Nuclear One, or other industrial accidents. We are confident that the court will agree with us that Covid-19 is not an air or surface-borne toxin. If it were, citizens would be dropping dead in the streets!

Our lawyers believe that the way we’ve responded is the quickest route to get in front of a judge, resulting in an end to this whole farce. We do have an entire quiver we will not hesitate to use if it becomes necessary.

The timeline from today forward: the state has five days to respond; we should be in court quickly thereafter. We appreciate everyone’s support and contributions to the cause of freedom. We will keep you apprised.

Lawsuit / Fundraising update

Our suit was filed on September 3rd. 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