by Freeda Cathcart
Shenandoah County – On Wednesday, October 8, people gathered on either side of the Interstate 81 overpass bridge to exercise their 1st Amendment rights.
They are tired of the lies, corruption and abuse of power of the current administration, especially the inaction of AG Jason Miyares to investigate possible local corruption and law enforcement abuse. So they decided to create a billboard sign to defend the 1st Amendment and to support candidates that will support their constitutional rights.
They were excited about the new billboard that went up Monday on a highway in Shenandoah County that says: “STAND UP FOR FREE SPEECH VOTE SPANBERGER * HASHMI * JONES * REC”
The money to pay for the billboard was raised after Virginia State Police harassed and arrested peaceful protesters. Money continues to be raised to have even more visibility in rural counties about issues they care about. People can contribute at this link: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/1ava
Mark Pierce, Co-Leader of ShenCo Indivisible who helps to organize the weekly protests, said the following: “My goal is for us to be a visible reminder to folks that all is not well in our nation, despite the appearance of normalcy here. We would like to shake their sense of complacency and perhaps spark some questions in their minds. To that effect, the more visible we are and the greater our numbers, the more potential impact we will have. The ‘powers that be’ appear to be trying to lessen our messaging and impact by constraining our first amendment rights at this time. We will see them in court.”
One of the dedicated protesters is Debbie Helsey. This past summer she went to the authorities on pedestrian safety concerns when local traffic seemed unaware that pedestrians have the right of way when crossing at a corner. Instead of helping with the safety issues, there was a crackdown on their 1st Amendment rights!
Undeterred Helsey said: “As a concerned citizen I feel that it is my duty to exercise my first amendment rights, although currently suppressed, and resist the oppression of this administration.”
The peaceful protesters’ court hearings start next week. Gingerich’s arraignment is scheduled in the Shenandoah County General District Court on October 14 and Dart’s arraignment is scheduled for October 21. Based on this article it appears that the charges may be thrown out.
