Dozens protest in downtown Sonora over COVID-19 public health restrictions
Close to 100 people assembled in downtown Sonora on Wednesday afternoon to protest state and local restrictions over the coronavirus pandemic, according to area newspapers.
One of the organizers, restaurant owner Cindy Zelinsky, told mymotherlode.com that she and other protesters believe there is insufficient data to support strict regulations that have shuttered many local businesses and restricted gatherings of two or more people. They also questioned whether the public health order was infringing on their constitutional rights, Sonora Police Chief Turu VanderWiel told The Bee.
Participants included other business owners, church groups and community members.
Protesters held signs that read “Honk if You’re Healthy” and “More Data Less Fear” and “Man Cannot Live on Walmart Alone,” while they walked along Washington Street, according to the Union Democrat.
Tuolumne County has had two reported cases of COVID-19 and no deaths.
VanderWiel said about 50 other community members called to complain about the protest and ask why the officers hadn’t made the crowed disperse.
“We had a unique situation where we do have to respect the health officer’s orders on social distancing but at the same time we also have to respect people’s First Amendment right to protest and peaceful assembly,” the chief said.
He said that for most of the protest, which took place from about noon to 1:15 p.m., officers were “monitoring from a distance ... making sure the social distancing requirements were not grossly violated.”
They intervened once when about 50 people started to gather at a small park in front of the courthouse.
VanderWiel said he addressed the issue with Zelinsky, who quickly responded by asking people to spread out.
“I can definitely understand the protesters’ concerns,” the chief said. “I get it. I am a member of the community and I want things to go back to normal, too. But we also have to respect the health order and do what we can to slow or stop the spread of this virus.”
This story was originally published April 16, 2020 at 4:52 PM.
