As the General Assembly resumes a regular schedule of committee meetings and bills, a “drive-by protest” is planned to let the legislators know that they need to honor our democracy by not passing legislation while citizens are locked out of the capitol.
The “Save Kentucky Democracy Coalition” said in a press release:
Most Kentuckians can’t access the Capitol due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, Senate and House leadership have continued to call committee hearings and pass legislation, against the advice of national health experts, and without the participation of the people. Senate President Stivers and Speaker Osborne recently announced that they’re taking a break until March 26. This is inadequate. The legislature shouldn’t convene while people are unable to participate.
The group goes on to say that the legislature should only work to “address the impacts of this public health crisis. Beyond that necessary and urgent work, the legislature should not convene during a pandemic.”
As a means of communicating this message to legislators, there will be “car caravan protests” around the Capitol in Frankfort, with signs displaying the group’s message, and horn-honking to show that that car is part of the protest. For persons who cannot make it to Frankfort, they are urged to do the same thing in their local town centers.
In response to an inquiry from Forward Kentucky, the group said that anyone participating had to agree to follow social distancing guidelines and to make no stops along the route except for emergencies.
The group has a Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/save.ky.democracy.