Name: Alex Jones leads anti-mask protest at Capitol
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Alex Jones leads anti-mask protest at Capitol

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Brandon MulderView CommentsApproximately 150 un-masked people gathered before the Texas Capitol Sunday afternoon for a protest against mask-wearing mandates recently enacted by state and local governments.It was the same day Travis County recorded a record-breaking spike in positive COVID-19 cases that has more than doubled the daily rate of hospitalizations.The event was kicked off with prayer before the armored vehicle iconic to Alex Jones and his Info Wars brand rolled up to the group with a warm welcome of cheers and chants.From the roof of the vehicle stood Info Wars contributor Owen Shroyer shouting through a megaphone. Scientifically, the face coverings state and local governments are encouraging people to wear to slow the spread of COVID-19 do nothing to prevent coronavirus transmission, Shroyer said, directly contradicting evidence presented by state and federal health authorities.“We refuse to be a slave to the government,” Shroyer said. “We refuse to comply with illegal orders. We will not wear masks.”Hours later, during a news conference in Dallas with Vice President Mike Pence and Gov. Greg Abbott, White House coronavirus response task force coordinator Dr. Deborah Birx said that scientific evidence shows that masks both “keep you from infecting others and protects you from getting infected.”“You can protect one another,” Birx said. “I know it’s difficult for the 20- and 30-somethings, but I’m just here to ask everyone to wear a mask — every single one of them to wear a mask.”Shroyer also accused the National Guard of interfering in the group’s ability to exercise First Amendment rights while allowing Black Lives Matter protests to continue without interference last month.“Why is the National Guard stopping law abiding citizens from engaging in their First Amendment rights? But in any other protest, sponsored by the Democrats, you get to riot and loot and stop traffic on I-35, but we can’t even have a peaceful protest?” Shroyer said.State troopers and Austin police officers were on hand during the demonstration Sunday and did not appear to interfere in the demonstration.For two weekends in May, protests against police brutality in Austin following the death of George Floyd shut down Interstate 35. Protesters who refused to vacate the intersection were met with tear gas non-lethal rounds that left several people in the hospital.The protests remained largely peaceful, although at least two businesses were looted and one car was burned in the course of the demonstrations. Several people were arrested by both state troopers and Austin police.Info Wars founder Alex Jones also appeared before the Capitol Sunday afternoon, shouting into a bullhorn.“We’re going to tell the globalists, ‘we’re not your slaves, we’re not in your cult, and if you want war, you better believe you got war,’ ” Jones said before the group began marching down Congress Avenue chanting “USA! USA! USA!”Last week, Abbott i that limited certain businesses and services in an effort to contain the spread of COVID-19.Restaurants can remain open for dine-in but may not exceed a 50% capacity. Previously Abbott had approved a 75% capacity. Rafting and tubing businesses and bars were closed, and outdoor gatherings of 100 people or more were banned without explicit permission from local governments.“We can only slow the spread if everyone in Texas does their part,” Abbott said in a statement. “Every Texan has a responsibility to themselves and their loved ones to wear a mask, wash their hands, stay six feet apart from others in public, and stay home if they can.”The governor has also given cities and counties the authority to enact local mask-wearing mandates. The mandates can order businesses to require employees and customers wear masks when social distancing is not possible.Austin Mayor Steve Adler on June 17 that requires all businesses to enact plans for requiring facial coverings and social distancing. Any businesses caught violating the rule may face a fine up to $1,000 per day.View Comments

Brandon MulderView CommentsApproximately 150 un-masked people gathered before the Texas Capitol Sunday afternoon for a protest against mask-wearing mandates recently enacted by state and local governments.It was the same day Travis County recorded a record-breaking spike in positive COVID-19 cases that has more than doubled the daily rate of hospitalizations.The event was kicked off with prayer before the armored vehicle iconic to Alex Jones and his Info Wars brand rolled up to the group with a warm welcome of cheers and chants.From the roof of the vehicle stood Info Wars contributor Owen...

Alex Jones leads anti-mask protest at Capitol

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