The vice governor of Idaho was filmed with a gun and a Bible in her car as part of a video in which state legislators question the existence of the coronavirus and promise to ignore all restrictions.
Janice McGeachin, along with several state officials, advocated a “statement” against coronavirus measures, which was posted on the Idaho Freedom Foundation (IFF) website on October 1.
In the film, which was posted on YouTube earlier this week, Republican lawmakers alternately read lines from the declaration.
During McGeachin’s contribution, you see her sitting in her truck, smiling, holding a Bible in her hand before she takes out a handgun and puts it on the book.
As she does so, she reads out a line from the Declaration that quotes from the Constitution “We recognize that we are all “inherently free and equal and have certain inalienable rights, including the enjoyment and defense of life and liberty, the acquisition, possession and protection of property, and the pursuit of happiness and the protection of security.
McGeachin, according to The Idaho Statesman, was a vocal critic of the COVID orders of GOP government Brad Little and participated in several rallies to protest restrictions during the pandemic.
In the latest video, Republican officials Tammy Nichols, Dorothy Moon, Bryan Zollinger, Christy Zito, Chad Christensen, Priscilla Giddings, Tony Wisniewski, Heather Scott, Ron Nate and Karey Hanks protest against COVID rules alongside her.
Hundreds of Idaho residents have also joined lawmakers in signing the document itself, which states that it was “ratified by the people of Idaho on October 1, 2020.
Idaho experienced a record number of new daily cases in October, amounting to 62,746, according to the state government.
October 16 was the highest number, with 1,092 confirmed new cases, while the latest figures from October 29 show an increase of 961
The statement claims that the emergency orders violate the rights of Idahoans, and it also seems to question whether “a pandemic can occur or not.
It also contains a promise to ignore any new restrictions that continue to restrict people’s “freedom” and calls for “an end to the emergency orders issued by state and local government officials and the restoration of our constitutionally protected rights.
said IFF spokesperson Dustin Hurst: “I believe many people lack the sense of the video. The goal was not to question the pandemic, but rather to affirm that our rights are pandemic or not.
“Some officials act as if they can restrict rights without consequences or repression. It just doesn’t work that way.”
The restrictions in this phase mainly affect large gatherings of more than 50 people. Stores and restaurants can remain open, and travel is not restricted.
Do you still believe in freedom? We do: https://t.co/r7uJlMAm6t
We invite you to join us: https://t.co/FVphVwhbPB#idleg #idpol pic.twitter.com/uB4qk6Aspc
– Idaho Freedom Foundation (@idahofreedom) October 27, 2020
Republican lawmakers have repeatedly criticized the governor’s response to the pandemic, with many of them attending “special sessions” in the state legislature, claiming that the COVID restrictions are unconstitutional, according to the Idaho Stateman.
However, the Idaho prosecutor’s office defended the legality of the governor’s actions, the publication said.
The full statement
We, the people of the State of Idaho, reaffirm our solemn commitment to the fundamental principles that have made America the greatest country in the world. As stated in our Constitution and reaffirmed here, we remain grateful to Almighty God for our freedom. We recognize that we are all “inherently free and equal and have certain inalienable rights, including the enjoyment and defense of life and liberty, the acquisition, possession and protection of property, the pursuit of happiness and the provision of security. The fact that a pandemic may or may not occur does not change the meaning or the intention of the State Constitution to preserve our inalienable rights. Nevertheless, in direct contradiction to the founding principles of Idaho, state and local officials have for months denied basic and fundamental rights to the people of our state by issuing a long procession of emergency decrees and decrees that have denied people freedom of movement, assembly, religion, ownership and enjoyment of property, and the pursuit of happiness. This has been allowed for too long. With this letter we demand an end to the emergency orders issued by state and local government officials and the restoration of our constitutionally protected rights. We further resolve that all orders issued in the future will be ignored unless these orders recognize, honor and uphold our God-given rights unconditionally and without any doubt.
Tekk.tv has asked Lieutenant Governor McGeachin for a comment.
Update 28.10.20, 9.50 ET: This article has been updated to include a statement by IFF spokesperson Dustin Hurst.
