Collierville residents gathered Monday morning at the Collierville School Administration Building to protest the mask mandate put in place for all Shelby County schools.
The effort was planned by the group Faces4Freedom, which describes itself as “concerned citizens, parents, teachers, employers, health-care providers, politicians, and everyday workers” who “maintain that all Americans must be afforded choices as to their vaccination status and mask-wearing/face-covering.”
“We hold that no government and no employer has the authority to mandate vaccination and/or mask-wearing,” the group’s “About” section on Facebook reads.
The group billed the Monday event as a peaceful protest against mask mandates, enforced social distancing, and the possibility of a Covid-19 vaccine requirement for students. About 20 protesters showed up toting signs with messages such as “no mask mandate” and “let parents decide.”
This comes after the Shelby County Health Department (SCHD) announced Friday that masks will be required in all the county’s schools regardless of vaccination status. The decision came as a result of an “alarming increase” in pediatric COVID-19 cases in recent weeks, according to the SCHD’s health directive.
Prior to the directive, Collierville school officials said masks would not be required for students.
Faces4Freedom said the health department “illegally imposed” the mask mandate and plans to protest the measure until the mandate is reversed.
The group calls for school leadership to “exclusively recognize and respect parental authority on the question of students wearing face coverings, COVID vaccinations, contact tracing, and social distancing on school system property, on school transportation, and during school events.”
The group plans to protest mask mandates Tuesday, August 10th, at the Shelby County Health Department office at 2 p.m. There will be a “ceremonial trash can for a public display of disposal for those who are so inclined.”
Cameron Sexton (R-Crossville), Speaker of the Tennessee House, has also spoken out against the mandate, tweeting that the issue should be addressed in a special legislative session.
“No health board should have the authority to tell a private institution what they can and can’t do.” Sexton posted to Twitter. “It’s time to stop unelected bureaucrats from deciding what is best for our children.”
Republican State Senator Brian Kelsey, who represents parts of the Memphis area, also expressed support for bringing forth the issue in a special session. He calls for legislators to “rein in the power of local health departments.”
“Our Shelby County Mayor should not be able to force parents and publicly elected schools boards to require their children to wear masks — especially not in private schools either,” Kelsey tweeted.
