Name: Gavin Newsom asked to reconcile support for protests with new warnings on gatherings
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Gavin Newsom asked to reconcile support for protests with new warnings on gatherings

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During his Thursday press conference, California Gov. was asked why Californians should heed his new warnings against gatherings for Fourth of July weekend when he was previously supportive of protests against police brutality, where officials did not enforce mask-wearing or social-distancing.Over the past week, Newsom has told residents not to gather with individuals outside their households and to avoid large crowds for any Fourth of July parades or demonstrations, while adding the state will "mitigate" any large crowds."As always, we've had a mandate for a consistent period of time as it relates to large crowd gatherings," he . "Please, avoid those crowds. We're going to do our best to try to mitigate people congregating and doing what we can to encourage good behavior."On Thursday, KCBS Radio's Doug Sovern asked the governor, "I've heard from a number of people who don't understand why they're being told you can't go see grandpa this weekend, you can't see Uncle Joe, you can't have a barbecue with your neighbors but then they turn on the TV and see hundreds or thousands of people protesting. So can you explain the selective enforcement or preferential treatment given based on political persuasion? Can you explain to people why they should listen to these messages when they do see that happening and no one is getting tickets, no one is even being told to enforce the masks or social distancing?"Newsom responded with, "If they care about their grandfather, their uncle, their aunt, that's why they should listen."The governor then stated that no one will be cracking down on social gatherings in backyards before returning to commenting on the protests."I maybe was unique in my household but I don't think I was, I think it was universally taught: Just because someone else is doing it, doesn't mean you should," Newsom said. "People know what the right thing to do is. I encourage them to do the right thing. And people also understand that we have a Constitution, we have a right to free speech and we are all dealing with a moment in our nation's history that is profound and pronounced... but I recognize the dichotomy and to the extent the dialectic between those examples and all I can offer is this consideration: Do what you think is best not only for you but for the health of the people you love."It is unclear to what extent the protests contributed to the spread of the virus. An Associated Press investigation found little evidence the demonstrations are primarily responsible for recent upticks, but Los Angeles County public health director Barbara Ferrer the protests led to an increase in positive cases.When the protests first started, Newsom , "You’ve lost patience, so have I. You are right to feel wronged. You are right to feel the way you are feeling" and protests in praise. After police used rubber bullets and tear gas to disperse crowds, , "Protesters have the right to protest peacefully — not be harassed."MORE CORONAVIRUS COVERAGE:Sign up for 'The Daily' newsletter for the latest on coronavirus&nbsp;.— — — — —Eric Ting is an SFGATE digital reporter. Email: | Twitter:

During his Thursday press conference, California Gov. was asked why Californians should heed his new warnings against gatherings for Fourth of July weekend when he was previously supportive of protests against police brutality, where officials did not enforce mask-wearing or social-distancing.Over the past week, Newsom has told residents not to gather with individuals outside their households and to avoid large crowds for any Fourth of July parades or demonstrations, while adding the state will "mitigate" any large crowds."As always, we've had a mandate for a consistent period of time as it...

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Eric Ting

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Gavin Newsom asked to reconcile support for protests with new warnings on gatherings

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