ST. GEORGE, Utah — On Wednesday, people in southern Utah will participate in what they call a "Walk for Freedom."
According to the event's Facebook page, the purpose is to “assert our God-given, Constitutionally-protected rights, including freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, religious freedom, the right to contract, and the right to use our property as we see fit so long as we do not harm others.”
“We have a lot of different people who wanted to be able to express their views and their concerns,” organizer Larry Meyers the organizer told FOX 13. “And the freedom of assembly was something that our founding fathers fight for and thought was among the most important things… They put it in the first amendment.”
He is also concerned about the state's mandates that restaurants and other businesses remain closed during this time.
“I know people who have lost their jobs… we feel like things like going to sit down at a restaurant — you could still do that safely with precautions," he said.
Meyers says that they will still follow CDC guidelines, making sure that they are social distancing, adding that anyone who has health concerns must do what they feel is right.
Ultimately, those involved hope this raises the issue with state and local leaders so those concerns can be addressed.
“We have a directive, and the governor continues to expect everyone to fully follow this directive of staying home and only leaving your home and engaging with people outside of your household when absolutely necessary," State Epidemiologist Dr. Angela Dunn said.
Currently, Washington County has no further orders other than the state's directive.
