Name: North Dakota State Rep. says he will defy Burgum's executive order
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North Dakota State Rep. says he will defy Burgum's executive order

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ADVERTISEMENTADVERTISEMENTDICKINSON, N.D. -- A State Representative says he will defy Gov. Doug Burgum's executive order and face any potential fines and jail time when he opens his barbershop in Dickinson on Friday, May 1.The pledge by Rep. Luke Simons, a Republican representing District 36, to reopen his business first appeared on his official Facebook page on Saturday, April 25, and was later confirmed in an interview."What is legal is not always lawful," Simons said. "Three of my favorite heroes made statements very, very similar to my own sentiments on the matter and each went against the law of their time. Those heroes are Thomas Jefferson, who overthrew a tyrannical government even though it was against the law; Mahatma Gandhi, who peacefully resisted a tyrannical government even though it was against the law; and the last was Martin Luther King, Jr., who opposed the tyrannical laws of segregation even though doing so was considered against the law."Simons added, "Sometimes you have to step out and do something that is supposedly illegal to preserve liberty."Burgum issued the executive order which mandated closures of "personal service" businesses such as hair salons in March — that order has been extended to Thursday, April 30, and could be extended further depending on the likelihood of the continuation of the ongoing pandemic in the state.ADVERTISEMENT"The barber shop will be reopening May 1st, whether the governor gives me permission or not," Simons said. "Last time I checked this is America, land of the free, not Mexico or China. I don’t need permission from the government to make an honest living."Simons has been the subject of controversy in the past, even making regional news last month for a controversial social media post alleging that the coronavirus was treatable and that the benefits of a botanical product could aid in treating and preventing the illness.He later defended the post as "outside the box thinking" saying, “I do however believe that people are way over reacting and I’ll keep looking for answers and input from all available sources.”Concerning the reopening of his barbershop, Simons said that all precautions would be implemented to ensure public safety and that people needed a leader. According to Simons the numbers do not indicate a pandemic, rather a bad flu season."This is not an epidemic, it's a bad flu season," he said. "When I open my barbershop, everything is going to be disinfected. We'll have only one client in the shop at a given time, by appointment only."Simons added, "If you have a compromised immune system please do not come in, we will be checking temperatures at the door."Simons said he was aware of the legal ramifications of his decision and would move forward on reopening his shop."My shop will be up and running on May 1st, with or without the governor’s permission," he said. "Menards parking lot looks like it's Christmas, Walmart's parking lot looks like it's more packed now than it was before this all started. This is ridiculous that our government is preventing me and you from working, but not the 'essential businesses' as determined by them."ADVERTISEMENTSimons added, "The government shouldn't be making these decisions."Speaking directly to Burgum, Simons shared his message."This is America — land of the free and home of the brave. Let the people make their own decisions, Governor."Simons and his supporters have been vocal critics of how Burgum and other governors have handled the pandemic, though he has continued to express support of South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem's handling, calling her a "true conservative leader."Should Simons open his barbershop before the executive order is lifted, he would be breaking the law by committing a misdemeanor, with each violation carrying a $1,000 fine.Ambulances transported 10 people to South Dakota hospitals after rafters on a building under construction at a dairy collapsed on Monday, Sept. 12.Follow this Fargo-Moorhead news and weather podcast on Apple, Spotify, and Google Podcasts.A select rundown of stories found on InForum.The South Dakota Highway Patrol said it's currently unclear which of the four occupants was driving at the time of the crash.ADVERTISEMENTADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENTADVERTISEMENTDICKINSON, N.D. -- A State Representative says he will defy Gov. Doug Burgum's executive order and face any potential fines and jail time when he opens his barbershop in Dickinson on Friday, May 1.The pledge by Rep. Luke Simons, a Republican representing District 36, to reopen his business first appeared on his official Facebook page on Saturday, April 25, and was later confirmed in an interview."What is legal is not always lawful," Simons said. "Three of my favorite heroes made statements very, very similar to my own sentiments on the matter and each went against...

North Dakota State Rep. says he will defy Burgum's executive order

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