California Town Declares Itself a ‘Sanctuary City’ for Businesses to Operate During Quarantine

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May 17, 2020

The city of Atwater, Calif. has declared itself to be a “sanctuary city” where businesses can operate during the quarantine without being hassled or shut down by government officials.

The Atwater City Council approved a resolution on Friday afternoon that declares the city a sanctuary for business. The resolution states that it “affirms the city’s commitment to fundamental constitutional rights.” It also applies to churches and other non-profit organizations as Atwater is now open for business.

Gov. Gavin Newsom made the announcement last week that the reopening would begin slowly, with only some businesses being allowed to open their doors.

“We are entering into the next phase this week … with modifications, we will allow retail to start operating across the spectrum,” Newsom said during a press conference last week. “This is a very positive sign, and it has happened only for one reason: The data says it can happen.”

“We will allow additional movement through phase two, and that includes the prospect of restaurants with modifications opening, hospitality more broadly opening, again, with modification,” Newsom added.

The city of Atwater is not willing to abide by Newsom’s arbitrary re-opening plans. They are blazing the trail and showing that the governor does not have the discretionary power to turn the economy on or off.

Big League Politics has reported on the intense protests in California against quarantine policies and how Newsom has attempted to stop them:

Following a successful protest on Monday at the State Capitol against the quarantine, the state has now banned similar protests, according to an announcement from the California Highway Patrol (CHP).

“Permits are issued to provide safe environments for demonstrators to express their views,” the CHP said in a statement. “In this case, the permit for the convoy was issued with the understanding that the protest would be conducted in a manner consistent with the state’s public health guidance.”

“That is not what occurred, and CHP will take this experience into account when considering permits for this or any other group,” they added.

On Monday, individuals convened in the downtown area for an “Operation Gridlock” protest, based off of last week’s wildly successful demonstration in Michigan against anti-Trump Governor Gretchen Whitmer, whose lockdown policies are among the most strict in the nation.

California Governor Gavin Newsom might be giving Whitmer some competition, as his state bureaucrats have arbitrarily banned a certain type of rally. It is unknown whether they plan to lock up protesters if they disobey the new edict.

“In the interest of public safety and the health of all Californians during the COVID-19 pandemic, effective immediately the California Highway Patrol will deny any permit requests for events or activities at all state facilities, to include the State Capitol, until public health officials have determined it is safe to gather again,” the CHP said.

Atwater may set a trend of local governments pushing back against their tyrannical state officials to avert economic peril.

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