Texas governor bans jail time for coronavirus lockdown violations

Gun News

[ad_1]

AUSTIN, Texas (Reuters) – Texas Governor Greg Abbott on Thursday banned the jailing of anybody in the state who defied his orders to shut businesses due to the coronavirus pandemic, a move that followed an outcry over the arrest and incarceration of a Dallas salon owner.

FILE PHOTO: Texas Governor Greg Abbott speaks at the annual National Rifle Association (NRA) convention in Dallas, Texas, U.S., May 4, 2018. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson

“Throwing Texans in jail who have had their businesses shut down through no fault of their own is nonsensical, and I will not allow it to happen,” Abbott, a Republican, said in a written statement.

The Texas Supreme Court quickly upheld Abbott’s order, which was issued two days after Shelley Luther was arrested and put in the Dallas County jail for opening her business, Salon à la Mode, in defiance of a closure order across the state.

Luther was sentenced to serve one week as punishment. She was freed on Thursday afternoon.

The order will also benefit two women who were arrested last month in Laredo, Texas, for providing salon services and arrested during what local authorities called a sting operation. The two women were already free on bond.

banner

Luther’s case became a rallying cause for protesters and others in Texas who want to see the state open up faster.

Texas, which has one of the lowest per-capita death rates in the country from COVID-19, the respiratory illness caused by the novel coronavirus, is in the vanguard of states seeking to restart the economy despite the pandemic.

Restaurants, retailers and other stores reopened this week – but on condition that they only allow in 25% of normal capacity. Salons across Texas will be able to open again on Friday as part of the reopening plan.

Luther’s salon and all others across the state were closed on March 22 because of the pandemic. She publicly railed against Abbott’s orders then, saying she and her salon staff could not feed their children without income.

Luther reopened her salon on April 24.

A day later, surrounded by boisterous supporters calling for businesses to reopen, Luther tore up a cease-and-desist order she had received from a Dallas County judge ordering her to close her shop. She kept her salon open.

Dallas County Judge Eric Moye said on Tuesday during a hearing that he would not order Luther jailed if she acknowledged that her actions were selfish and apologized.

“I have to disagree with you sir, when you say that I’m selfish because feeding my kids is not selfish,” Luther said, refusing to apologize.

Reporting by Brad Brooks; Editing by Paul Simao and Peter Cooney

[ad_2]

Source link

Articles You May Like

New Union County Gun Range A Gem
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine tries to sneak through his signature on the transgender bathroom bill: Today in Ohio
Letter: There are issues that can’t be left to Alberta politicians
Gen Z Rep. Justin J. Pearson on Gun Violence, Activism and Being a Young Legislator
Women challenge Pa. Firearms Act | News, Sports, Jobs

15 Comments

  1. 434748 440627Hello! I just wish to give an enormous thumbs up for the excellent details you might have proper here on this post. I can be coming again to your weblog for more soon. 413360

  2. 270245 829347More than and over again I take into consideration these problem. As a matter of fact it was not even yesterday that I last thought about it. To be honest, what is your thought though? 93955

  3. 747015 895224View the following tips less than and discover to know how to observe this situation whilst you project your home business today. Earn funds from home 157742

  4. 162294 921600A person necessarily lend a hand to make severely posts Id state. This really is the extremely very first time I frequented your web page and to this point? I surprised with the analysis you produced to make this specific submit extraordinary. Magnificent procedure! 187878

  5. 57886 787041Wow, superb weblog structure! How long have you been blogging for? you make blogging glance easy. The total look of your internet site is excellent, neatly as the content material! 862030

  6. 45574 413657Oh my goodness! a amazing post dude. Thanks Nevertheless My business is experiencing problem with ur rss . Dont know why Not able to sign up for it. Possibly there is any person obtaining identical rss difficulty? Anyone who knows kindly respond. Thnkx 63687

  7. 796707 426490This internet page is really a walk-through its the internet you desired with this and didnt know who need to. Glimpse here, and youll surely discover it. 75819

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *