Protesters Gather Against Governor’s Mandate

About 100 protesters gathered at the Putnam County Courthouse Sunday to protest Governor Bill Lee’s stay-at-home mandates.

The Freedom and Prayer Rally included county and religious leaders who spoke against the social and business restrictions. Event organizer Jennifer Greene said rights and decisions should be in the hands of the individual.

“These rights cannot be taken away by any government, leader or authority,” Greene said. “However, we as Americans and as Tennesseans in the last six weeks have witnessed a series of unprecedented and unilateral actions at every level of government.”

The program included moments of silence for those affected or who have died from the virus and prayers for the government. The group also spoke of the Bill of Rights and the Constitution as important to the cause.

County commissioner Jonathan Williams said the list of essential and non essential occupations are arbitrary at best.

“Mr. Lee, open this economy,” Williams said. “Mr. Lee, tear down these unreasonable restrictions. Staying at home and not working and not earning an income is not the new norm for Tennesseans.”

Greene said she’s appreciative of the challenges the governor and other local leaders have faced during the pandemic.

“However, we are also troubled about the heavy handed response to this health concern,” Greene said. “Our leaders’ solutions to this problem have now created circumstances that are more disturbing than the problem itself.”

Because of what she called “rhetoric” and “fear mongering” on social media, Greene said business owners and government workers did not attend. She commended the bravery of the over 100 people who showed up for the rally or those who stayed in their cars for social distancing.

Five prayer leaders came forward to lead the crowd in prayer. Greene said she understood they were breaking the rules of gatherings featuring 10 people or less, but she said this gathering was necessary to send a message.

Another rally is scheduled for April 27 at the State Capitol in Nashville.