© Atilis Gym Twitter
Footage of police in New Jersey informing anti-lockdown protesters they're in violation of Covid-19 executive orders, but will not face consequences, is the latest example of officers taking a more hands-off approach to the rules.
People began gathering outside Atilis Gym in southern New Jersey hours before it opened on Monday to show support for the business defying executive orders from the governor, and to protest the continuing lockdown measures in place across the state.While almost no protesters wore face coverings and were clearly breaking social distancing guidelines by gathering in a big crowd, police simply informed those gathered that they were in violation of current orders - and to "have a nice day.""Formally, you are all in violation of the executive order," an officer told the crowd. "On that note, have a good day. Everybody be safe." Police then left the area to the sound of cheers from the protesters.
An attorney representing the gym owners said they were issued a summons from the county for disorderly conduct and patrons inside the establishment were given formal warnings, but the business plans to reopen again on Tuesday.
As citizens grow increasingly frustrated with coronavirus lockdown orders in place across the US, police in some states have begun seriously easing-off enforcing the rules.
'We don't have the authority'Officer Greg Anderson was put on administrative leave after posting a video to social media that went viral in which he encouraged law enforcement officers not to punish people for breaking social distancing guidelines.
"I'm seeing people arrested or cited for going to church, for traveling on the roadways, for going surfing, opening their businesses," he said. "I want to remind you that regardless of where you stand on the coronavirus, we don't have the authority to do those things to people just because a mayor or a governor tells you otherwise."'Completely trampled on'In a lengthy message
posted on Facebook on Sunday,
Sheriff of DuPage County in Illinois, James Mendrick, said he was being silenced by public officials for speaking out against lockdown orders. He claims threats have been made regarding his office's "reimbursement and grant funds as a tool to force me not to speak," adding that his constitutional right to free speech "has been completely trampled on" by the governor.Mendrick declared he stands with citizens and businesses that responsibly reopen and offer no "resistance" to police.
Refusing to shut it downFormer police officer Jordan Duncan of Lodi, California, claimed he was booted from the force after refusing to shut down businesses reopening in defiance of orders by California's governor.
"Officer Duncan sacrificed his own livelihood instead of ruining the lives of civilians and small business owners and shutting down churches with the enforcement he would be required to execute under orders from his superiors," a GoFundMe
page for the ex-cop reads.
Pushing backSome of the most extreme Covid-19 lockdown measures in the US can be found in Michigan, and have not only led to protests, but also to police departments officially refusing to enforce Governor Gretchen Whitmer's orders.
"I have decided, within my authority, that our office cannot and will not divert our primary resources and efforts towards enforcement of the Gov. Whitmer's executive orders," Shiawassee County Sheriff Brian BeGole said in a public letter.Other sheriffs also stepped forward to push back against Whitmer and claim she'd overstepped the power of her office.
Eager enforcement?Despite the growing refusal among some police to enforce Covid-19 orders, several videos of Covid-related arrests have gone viral and found critics accusing police departments across the US of being overzealous in their efforts. Last month, a man was
dragged off of a public transit bus by multiple officers from the Philadelphia Police Department for refusing to wear a mask. Several of the officers were also not wearing masks.
New York City was also put under the spotlight after a
video of multiple people being arrested for breaking social distancing rules went viral. The NYPD were criticized for what appeared to be excessive force, and at least one officer involved in the arrest was suspended from duty pending an investigation.
New York has since said police will focus more on breaking up large crowds and will not ticket people for lacking face protection, though NYC Mayor Bill De Blasio promised on Monday that as the city reopens, officers will continue to have an active role in enforcing guidelines.
On beaches partially reopening, the mayor vowed police would monitor the seaside areas - and forcibly remove anyone gathered in a crowd or taking a swim.
Reader Comments
Then Bam, deer in the headlights. People need to learn to wait a moment. This is prime example of it.
Deadly actually. Do not try this at home. It is the "he received an unlucky punch" cornerstone of many a true detective show.
F**k the braindead dictators of all stripes.
I think it's equally as likely as most proles turning off their TV's and MSM..
Odds of either....
RC
I don't know how many times now I've said to people to find other - alternative - sources of news and I suggest to them to start with SOTT and to take it from there using the many links proposed here and there in articles and comments.
SOTT,
WRH [Link]
Global Research [Link]
RC
Also, they HAVE come back to the gym, TWICE as I understand it, so the above has been turned into only PR. [Link]
Back in 2012, law enforcement in my state had an internship program with criminal justice students. The showed them the tracking and profiling software that they are using to profile known and/or suspected gang members. The user interface was incredible, showing a web like connection of everybody who communicates with each other along with the frequency in which they do. If you select a person, it would show details about their life, sometimes completely impertinent to any sort of criminal activity. People should be outraged at the tools that are being used against them. One day, the wrong person will have the power to utilize these tools and when that day comes, it will make WW2 Germany look like child's play.
This "contact-tracing" initiative is the equivalent of setting up a Hitlerian power structure on steroids. Hopefully, it is rejected by the Senate and every politician that voted it in is not only voted out of office, but also criminally charged. Just remember, every atrocious thing that happened in Germany under Hitler's rule was completely legal and in accordance to their own laws. Same exact thing is starting here, only they had to use things like "terrorism" to pass draconian laws. Now they're using a virus to build their goon force. How do you influence a society to do acts that they normally said they would never commit? Use a virus. They don't understand virology, and can be justified in the internment of good people who oppose sequestration because they're told they're doing in for the good of humanity. They also don't understand freedom or liberty. Anyone who truly understands freedom, and is aware of their inevitable death, would rather die then live under tyranny.
That is how I described what I think is going to happen to two friends recently. Looks like I was right on the mark. I added if a known criminal unknown to them is not far on the web they may end up on a surveillance list.
They illegally intercept ANY cell calls they wish to. What they've NOT done is produce in discovery* the details of that. I believe they dropped a murder/manslaughter charge - and probably a lot of others besides - in Tallahassee about 5 years ago rather than release their data intercepts!
* Same prosecutorial /'law enforcement' (sic!) mentality that was - and remains - at heart of Flynn case.
RC
Anyway, one way of looking at things is, if "they" know everything about you already (apart from your DNA profile and possibly blood type), what's the point in hiding under a rock? You might as well just do what you want, as far as you are able, anyway.
If I'd not been on the 'list' , my office would never have been silently burgled while I was there and two cops would not have come within 1/4th second of being shot. (One pissed all over the place in fear.)
Don't know if FakeName overstated the matter.
HOWEVER, if you know cops, ask them about Stingray. Watch them clam up!