By BOBBIE GREEN
The Progress
Mesquite residents, business owners, employees and patrons alike gathered to participate in a peaceful rally dubbed “Liberate Mesquite” on Saturday, April 25.
Organized by Mesquite City Councilwoman and local businesswoman Annie Black, the ‘social distance-compliant’ event brought approximately 100 protesters to cruise in their vehicle down Mesquite Boulevard in protest of business closures being held in place by Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak.
“I am thrilled with the turnout,” Black said. “I did this because I thought it would bring members of this community together, show them they are not alone, and let Governor Sisolak know we need to open our businesses.”
Black started the rally by standing in the bed of a pickup truck with a bullhorn to welcome those who gathered at the Sun Valley Plaza. She led participants in a prayer and a moment of silence for victims of COVID-19. This was followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
The caravan that followed consisted of cars carrying two to four passengers all showing support for the cause to begin re-opening local businesses. Many held signs and flags while waving and honking horns.
Business owner Kirk Sessions of S & E Mechanical agreed with protestors.
“We can’t stay in our houses forever, this was way over-done,” he said of the state-mandated business shutdown. “We should not shut everything down. Our national debt is getting way too high. People should be free to decide what risk they want to take.”
Eureka Casino and Resort employee Leslie Fox said that she came to support Black and that she wants to go back to work.
Fox’s friend and fellow protestor Bob Lopez added, “Opening business should be a local decision. The Governor did right to close things at first. But now locals should decide with a safe environment in mind.”
Members of various religious groups participated by singing in the Sun Valley Plaza parking lot before the cruise began, while displaying signs reading “God is Essential.”
Black is considering organizing a weekly peaceful rally until Sisolak approves the re-opening of businesses.
“If the people want it, I will do it again,” she said.
4 thoughts on “Auto Rally Protests Business Closures”
Keep
Up the good work and be safe.
She’s a great organizer and I agree with her in all ways that pertains to opening Mesquite. Go Annie!!
We need to open our Private Community pools that are so necessary to our health and well-being. Open Mesquite please
With 2 new cases in Mesquite, now is not the time to actively encourage citizens to demand Mesquite open up. I agree the easy way out is to open. But in doing so we send a loud message to travelers come on in. Our economy depends on senior citizens and travelers. So what do you want: deaths among our seniors and putting all ages at risk on the CHANCE none of that will happen? Take baby steps to open. A group of 100 is very tiny considering Mesquite’s population.