Mask mandate protesters take to the street

Organizer Julia Newlin, center, is joined by other like-minded individuals during a protest Saturday of the Graham County mandate to wear face coverings in public. - David Bell Photo/Gila Valley Central

SAFFORD — About a half-dozen people spent their Saturday morning letting others know their opposition to Graham County’s requirement to wear face coverings when out in public.

“I think there’s a difference between being asked and being mandated or told. I’m not specifically anti-mask, I just think it’s government overreach and that’s why I’m here,” said protest organizer Julia Newlin.

Newlin cited the situation in Clifton involving the Daley Diner as an example of what she termed “government overreach.” The owner of the restaurant, Cheryl Post, was issued a misdemeanor citation by the town Nov. 10 for not adhering to Greenlee County’s face covering mandate, as well as state requirements for restaurant servers to be masked.

“All of her problems, including now being shut down and her losing her small business, (are) due to a mask mandate that she didn’t follow. And is now looking at a court case (and) a $20,000 fine. I am pro small business, and that is not pro small business,” Newlin said.

Calls to Clifton Town Manager Rudy Perez were not immediately returned.

Newlin also praised the Safford City Council for voting against a resolution of support for the county mandate. The Safford City Council voted against the resolution Nov. 30, five days after the Graham County Board of Supervisors unanimously voted to require face coverings in public.

Prior to the Board of Supervisors’ vote, both the Pima and Thatcher town councils voted unanimously in support of a countywide mask mandate, as did the Graham County Chamber of Commerce board of directors.

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