Join us in requesting that the Amherst County Board of Supervisors not issue a resolution or letter in support of Amherst County becoming a First Amendment Sanctuary County. We, the signers of this petition, believe that both Governor Ralph Northam and the state’s Health Commissioner, Dr. M. Norman Oliver are acting legally and have the authority invested in them by the Virginia Constitution to issue and enforce executive orders to protect our communities during the COVID-19 health crisis.

During the December 15, 2020 Citizen Comment portion of the Amherst County Board of Supervisors meeting, a First Amendment Sanctuary County Resolution was presented and urged to be considered for adoption. This resolution claims that Governor Northam has overstepped his legal limits by issuing executive orders to protect ALL citizens of Virginia by mandating mask wearing, social distancing, certain business restrictions, and limiting crowd size. This resolution goes one step further and opposes government intervention during the COVID-19 pandemic by seeking to limit the power of both the governor and the health department.

We know that in order to ensure the safety of all Amherst County residents, we must follow the guidelines as outlined by the CDC, and potentially take additional measures to fight the spread of COVID-19. The First Amendment Sanctuary County Resolution will unnecessarily endanger the lives of Amherst County residents by stopping enforcement of Governor Northam’s protective orders. Sign this petition to tell the Amherst County Board of Supervisors that you do NOT want this resolution passed.

Those who sign this petition:

1.       Oppose to the adoption of a resolution that would make Amherst County a First Amendment Sanctuary County.

2.       Believe that this is not a political issue, but a health issue.

3.       Believe that no individual’s right is more important than another’s.

4.       Believe that Governor Ralph Northam has the authority to issue executive orders to protect the health and safety of ALL our citizens.

5.       Believe that Governor Northam, as the Director of Emergency Management, may “take actions relating to the safety and welfare of the Commonwealth” (Code of Virginia 44-6-17).

6.       Believe that the State Health Commission has the authority to implement emergency measures to deal with dangers to the public health and life (Code of Virginia 32.1-13, 32.1-20, and 35.1-10).

7.       Believe that wearing a face mask, washing your hands, and social distancing (all simple and doable measures proposed by both the CDC and the World Health Organization) can prevent the further spread of COVID-19.

8.       Agree that the measures proposed by Governor Northam have not denied citizens their rights to freely exercise their religion, to peacefully assemble, or to freely engage in commerce, to move about freely, or any other individual liberty.

9.        Believe that Governor Northam is acting to save all our lives, not take away anyone’s individual rights.

PLEASE SIGN AND SHARE! 

THANK YOU!!