Eagle Forum of Alabama, a well-known conservative grassroots organization, is supporting a rally on Tuesday calling on Governor Kay Ivey to reopen the state’s economy.
Dubbed “Operation Back To Work,” the rally is being organized by “Stand Up Alabama,” a group launched online to oppose stringent aspects of State Health Orders that have closed “non-essential” businesses across the Yellowhammer State to battle the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
The group is urging members of the public to join the rally, which will purportedly circle the Alabama State Capitol in downtown Montgomery while attempting to follow social distancing guidelines, as participants can remain in their own vehicles.
Becky Gerritson — the former Republican AL-02 congressional candidate, founder of the Wetumpka Tea Party and current executive director of Eagle Forum of Alabama — on Monday sent out a release announcing that Eagle Forum supports the rally. Gerritson is also listed on Stand Up Alabama’s Facebook page as a “team member” of the group.
In an email, she outlined that Eagle Forum is in favor of the recommendations released Friday by the Alabama Small Business Commission Emergency Task Force’s “Subcommittee to Reopen the Economy.” Those recommendations, made in a report entitled “Reopening Alabama Responsibly Phase One,” await action by Ivey.
Gerritson wrote, “We heartily agree with the report’s statement that ‘Alabama’s economic vitality is critical to the health and prosperity of her citizens and will play a major role in the eventual defeat of COVID-19.’ We believe that the recommendations for Phase 1 are well thought out, and reasonable. They allow for businesses to reopen safely with protocols in place to protect the health of their employees and customers. We believe they should be implemented immediately.”
“Many Alabama small businesses and private contractors have not received the promised government financial aid and or have been denied unemployment checks and are now are hanging by a thread,” she continued. “We must not delay reopening Alabama any longer. Those business owners and customers who are fearful of contracting the virus can continue to stay in quarantine as long as they choose, but many businesses cannot survive another 2-week closure.”
“The goal of the rally is to encourage Governor Ivey to act immediately to reopen Alabama to the greatest extent possible. … People can safely participate by remaining in their cars while driving around the capitol to show their support for re-opening. … There will be a microphone set up on the Capitol steps for supporters to express their support for Governor Ivey approving the task force recommendations. To protect the public health and to show respect for others social distancing is highly encouraged,” Gerritson advised. “Alabamians must be allowed to protect both their lives and their livelihoods. Our rights under the U.S. Constitution demand it.”
Participants are also encouraged to bring signs and flags, with the ultimate goal being to support Alabama’s small businesses, per Stand Up Alabama’s website.
The rally is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. CT on Tuesday, April 21.
Sean Ross is the editor of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @sean_yhn
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