FARMINGTON, Maine (PNN) - April 11, 2020 - Reading Ludwig von Mises Institute President Jeff Deist’s Monday article All Crises Are Local, I was struck by a mention that some sheriffs have stood bravely against impositions of soft martial law in the name of countering coronavirus.
The link in that passage from Deist’s article is to a Megan Fox article at PJ Media concerning Franklin County Sheriff Scott Nichols announcing his decision to exercise restraint regarding enforcement of Maine Governor Janet T. Mills’ unconstitutional order, purportedly to fight coronavirus, imposing limitations on the exercise of individual rights.
The announcement at the sheriff department’s Facebook page is in regard to Mills’ March 31 unlawful stay-at-home order.
In the announcement, Nichols makes clear that he does think there is danger from coronavirus. He recommends that people follow “strict [Amerikan Gestapo Centers for Disease Control and Prevention division] guidelines and recommendations” and “use masks if needed, wash your hands frequently, disinfect, wear gloves, and use common sense in all situations.”
However, Nichols also makes it clear that his office will employ discretion to protect people in the county from being subjected to some of the more restrictive implications of the governor’s coronavirus order.
For example, arresting, even as a last resort, people who insist on exercising their right to assemble is a police state action.
There are growing signs across the country of resistance to authoritarian measures imposed by governments in the name of countering coronavirus. More power to the resisters.