Judge Blocks Arkansas From Banning Mask Mandates for Schools

The Epoch Times ^ | August 6, 2021 | Jack Phillips

[E. Pluribus Unum]

An Arkansas judge on Friday temporarily blocked the state from enforcing a ban on mask mandates, including public schools, after lawmakers left the prohibition in place.

Pulaski County Judge Tim Fox issued a preliminary injunction against the mandate, saying that it discriminated between public and private schools. The order came several hours after Arkansas’s state Legislature ended a special session and didn’t vote on the ban on mask mandates.

Fox, who was elected, wrote his opinion in response to the parents of two school-age children who claimed the ban on masks violates the rights of children in public schools.

The law “cannot be enforced in any shape, fashion or form” pending further court action, Fox wrote.

In April, Gov. Asa Hutchinson, a Republican, signed Act 1002, which prevented government agencies and schools from enforcing COVID-19 mask mandates. The governor requested the special session to overturn the ban on mask mandates, claiming that surge in the Delta variant made him change his mind on the rule.

But Republican lawmakers said they opposed the recent proposal from Hutchinson, who has faced significant criticism from fellow Republicans in his state over other issues in recent months.

The governor, who has said he regretted signing the ban into law, said he agreed with Fox’s decision but didn’t plan to reimpose the statewide mask mandate he lifted in March. He also criticized lawmakers who opposed taking action, saying many of them had taken a “casual, if not cavalier, attitude” toward COVID-19.

[Just mythoughts]

Isn't this special... Asa itching about his handwriting got a judge to make his signature null and void. Politicians are the worst of the lot... corrupt and useless.

[precisionshootist]

Tell the judge to pound sand, then have the local sheriff arrest any school district employee who attempts to force mask wearing. Let the school districts know there will be zero tolerance. Force kids to wear a mask and you will have a swat team kicking down your door at 2am.

[Do_Tar]

> ...claimed the ban on masks...

I seriously doubt anyone is saying you can’t wear a mask.

[wastedyears]

SIC SEMPER TYRANNIS

[Turbo Pig]

Tell the judge to pound sand, then have the local sheriff arrest any school district employee who attempts to force mask wearing.

I have to disagree, and I am no pro-mask, Poke pushing COVID Karen. It's a local issue and the state and federal government have no business in it. Let these people who suddenly are faced with the fact that they have elected tyrannical little liberals to the school boards, city governments, and county commissions deal with it. Maybe a little bit of pain and friction on both parties will change things. Maybe some people will realize that their neighbors don't have the best interests of their kids and community above their ideology.

[DCBryan1]

I forgot what the vote was but AR is a super majority conservative state which has over-ridden several vetos by RINO ASA.

The state ban on mask mandate were caused by liberal BLM mayors of Little Rock and other Dem led chit holes.

[precisionshootist]

“Let these people who suddenly are faced with the fact that they have elected tyrannical little liberals to the school boards, city governments, and county commissions deal with it.“

The people did deal with it. This ban against mask mandates is a law passed by their state legislature and singed by the governor. The people have spoken through their state representatives. This issue is settled and its the law. The answer now is to arrest the law breakers.

[tbpiper]

Judge Fox struck down Arkansas' voter ID law on April 24, 2014, saying that it added unconstitutional requirements to voters. (From Ballotpedia)

He's a real peach.