State Sen. Boren requests audit of Oklahoma Turnpike Authority

Boren requests audit of Oklahoma Turnpike Authority

OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. Mary Boren has authored and filed Senate Concurrent Resolution 28 directing the State Auditor to audit the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority (OTA). This comes after recent news reports that the OTA is moving forward with plans to begin work on a controversial toll road expansion, including purchasing properties, after learning a $200 million line of credit cannot be used for the project because of pending lawsuits.

House passes bill requiring OTA studies, report on proposed Norman turnpike

Sterling Passes Legislation Requiring OTA Studies, Report on Proposed Norman Turnpike

Bill would also give Legislature authority to modify location of turnpike

OKLAHOMA CITY (April 27th) – Rep. Danny Sterling, R-Tecumseh, secured passage Wednesday of legislation requiring the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority (OTA) to provide a detailed report on the planned turnpike through eastern Norman and give the Legislature authority to modify the authorization for construction or location of the turnpike.

Democrat State Rep. Merleyn Bell not seeking reelection

 Bell Announces She Won’t Seek Reelection

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Merleyn Bell, D-Norman, released the following statement to announce that she will not seek reelection to the Oklahoma House of Representatives.

“I am announcing today that I will not run for reelection to the Oklahoma House of Representatives in 2022.

“While it has always been my aim to educate and empower my fellow citizens, I now believe this goal may best be achieved from the outside in, at a distance that allows me to devote more time to other pursuits, both personal and professional.

OKGOP calls for get-out-the-vote volunteers this weekend

The Oklahoma Republican Party is calling for volunteers to help with get out the vote efforts in school board and municipal elections this weekend. Below is a release from OKGOP Vice Chairman Shane Jemison:

Attention all Republicans,  

In 74 of 77 counties early voting begins TODAY for local school board and city council races all across Oklahoma. It is vital for the future of our nation and communities all across Oklahoma that we show up and support conservatives with cause.

3 communities across the state are in dire need of your help preserving liberty, supporting our law enforcement, and promoting locally controlled parental rights in education.  

Today, tomorrow, Saturday, and Monday. We are calling all conservatives to action in the following  communities. These races will solely be decided by turnout. Every door knocked and phone call made will get them closer to being successful.

Please go to one of the following locations to knock doors and pass out literature. Today, tomorrow, Saturday, and Monday:

Sen. Boren, Cleveland County residents voice outrage over proposed turnpike expansion

Sen. Boren and other Cleveland County residents voice outrage over proposed turnpike expansion

OKLAHOMA CITY – At a press conference Wednesday, Sen. Mary Boren, D-Norman, was joined by other Cleveland County residents in sharing their outrage over the planned expansion of Oklahoma’s turnpike system that threatens the home and property of hundreds, the only location of a rare rock and a sanctuary for injured and orphaned wildlife. 

Boren pointed out the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority’s (OTA) concern for local residents seems to decrease with every major project. With the Kilpatrick Turnpike, OTA chose a path that took one house per mile, but with the Kickapoo Turnpike, the route took three houses per mile. The planned Cleveland County project would require the destruction of 16 houses per mile.         

“The Turnpike ACCESS Plan threatens hundreds of homeowners, landowners, and thousands of residents in my district. It’s my duty to amplify their voices at this critical time so that all Oklahomans can join us in persuading the governor and his appointees to the Turnpike Authority to change course and stop this lunacy,” Boren said. “Yesterday, it was homeowners and landowners in the Luther area who tragically lost their homes and businesses when the Kickapoo Turnpike was built. Today, the people of Cleveland County are in the crosshairs of the OTA. Tomorrow, it will be another community, unless the governor, state Legislature or the courts stops this proposed project.”                 

OU professor Dr. Amy Cerato explained that the proposed highway also runs through the only place Rose Rocks can be found in the world.

“Barite roses are distinctly Oklahoma. Our state rock since 1967, these exquisite natural wonders are found only one place on earth – in a thin band between Lake Stanley Draper and Noble. They are cherished by Oklahomans and mineral and rock enthusiasts from around the world,” Cerato said. “The citizens of Oklahoma, together with our elected officials, must hold the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority accountable in preserving this rare geological formation.”

The turnpike expansion would not only be devastating for area residents, but would also be catastrophic for WildCare, the state’s largest wildlife rehabilitation center and one of the largest in the nation, along with many endangered and threatened species in the area, according to Director Inger Giuffrida.

Gov. Stitt endorses Kish for Mayor of Norman

GOVERNOR STITT ENDORSES DR. NICOLE KISH for MAYOR of NORMAN 

Norman — Governor Kevin Stitt has endorsed Dr. Nicole Kish for Mayor of Norman.

In a statement, Governor Stitt said:

“Dr. Nicole Kish is the right candidate for this unique time in history to lead Norman as its next mayor. Dr. Kish is a political outsider that will bring her successful business record to prioritize resources towards keeping our communities safe and thriving. I am proud my parents raised me in the Norman community and in Norman public schools. This city needs bold, common-sense leadership to help capitalize on the momentum the rest of Oklahoma is experiencing with booming economic growth, and Dr. Kish has the grit and will to make it happen. She is passionate about protecting freedom, supporting our public safety professionals, and making Norman the most competitive city for new jobs. Help me elect Dr. Kish on February 8.”

Dr. Kish is a co-founder of Unite Norman, the grassroots organization who recalled city council members last year for their defunding of police. She is a Small Business Owner and Doctor who has practiced in Norman for 22 years, serving 100,000 patients. She is also a Veteran of the Oklahoma Air National Guard during 9/11.

'Unite Norman' endorses Kish for mayor

Unite Norman Endorses Dr. Nicole Kish

Norman — Unite Norman, the leading grassroots organization in Norman, announced today it is endorsing Dr. Nicole Kish for Mayor.

Unite Norman co-founders lauded Dr. Kish’s experience as a doctor, small business owner, and military veteran as key to the endorsement, and to winning in February:

“Dr. Kish has the experience that Norman desperately needs right now,” said Sassan Moghadam, co-founder of Unite Norman and prominent businessman in Norman. “She is a doctor in the midst of a never-ending pandemic; she is a military Veteran who has served Oklahoma and her country honorably; and she has been a Small Business Owner in Norman for 22 years. She will make Norman less hostile to business than the current regime at City Hall.”

Dr. Kish, a co-founder of Unite Norman, was instrumental in helping the group garner nearly 25,000 signatures last year to recall the current Mayor, as well as recalling two city council members. She worked tirelessly behind the scenes while also running her thriving medical practice business full-time.

It was a trifecta of events that led Dr. Kish to consider running for Mayor. Her thriving business was negatively affected by the Mayor’s COVID-19 shutdowns last year. Next, the Mayor defunded the police by nearly $1 Million, which has led to a spike in crime and homelessness. Then, Dr. Kish and her medical practice were ruthlessly harassed for her support of Unite Norman and conservative causes.

It was then that Dr. Kish thought about running for Mayor.

“It is time for each and every one of us to stand up. I am honored to have the endorsement of Unite Norman,” said Dr. Nicole Kish, one of only two Republicans running for the non-partisan seat. “As a Small Business Owner, I’ve been victim to and am deeply concerned about the hostile attitude toward businesses in this town. This past year, the City lost nearly $1 Million to its general fund I believe directly related to the Mayor’s shutdowns, overbearing mask mandates, general hostility to businesses, and the defunding of police. We can and must do better to protect families and welcome businesses to town, not make them public enemy number one.”

Kish: is a Socialist running for Mayor of Norman?

The following press release comes from Nicole Kish, candidate for mayor in the city of Norman:

Is a “Socialist” Running for Mayor of Norman?

SHOCKING ARTICLE UNEARTHED: Prior News report — as well as propaganda hanging on his walls, bookshelves & his own Social Media — tell us who Bob Thompson really is.

Norman — An OU Daily article two-and-a-half years ago instructs us on who Bob Thompson really is, and more importantly, what his plans would be if elected Mayor of Norman.

Despite carving himself out as a centrist tired of divisive politics on both his own website and to “OU Nightly,” and suggesting to The Norman Transcript “the need for non-partisan deliberation,” Midway Bob in his own words previously claimed to be among the most liberal of liberals.

In a 2019 OU Daily article, in his own words Thompson boasted that he owns “the most liberal spot in the most liberal town in the most liberal county in Oklahoma, and we’re like ground zero,” Thompson said happily.

But the biggest surprise? He’s a huge fan of Socialism.

Even we had to look twice, to make sure we were reading it correctly.

He talked at length, glowingly, about Socialism.

According to the OU Daily article, dated March 24, 2019, hanging in Thompson’s deli is “a framed picture of this political activist Eugene V. Debs on the wall” — whom Thompson claimed is his favorite author.

Thompson boasted of having at least 30 works of his favorite author — a known Socialist activist, founder of the Socialist Party of America and a Socialist Party candidate for President. After serving time in prison, the author became radicalized to Marxism and vowed a war on Capitalism. The Socialist author and activist was also a member of the Industrial Workers of the World, a Socialist group which Brittanica calls “radical,” even by Socialist standards.

“I've read all the books about (Debs') speeches,” Thompson said in the OU Daily article. “I probably have 30 volumes at home,” Thompson said. “People think that socialism is all… that it's all about people not working. I was always a worker and I got to be an owner, but I didn't have any desire to be that kind of person that got where he was going by making other people do his work. To me, socialism is a very work-ethic oriented deal.”

While Thompson appears to be more of the “workers unite!” brand of Socialism, he does in fact appear to be a Socialist.

In addition to boasting about his tomes on Socialism, he has posted multiple photos on Social Media promoting Socialist materials including a copy of Eugene V. Debs’ book on Socialism, which Thompson said is his “Morning Devotional.” While some laughed at the photo, Thompson did not appear to be joking.

Additionally, photos of Bob’s Midway Cafe prominently show at least one famous Socialist propaganda poster, that of Che Guevara, a Marxist revolutionary credited with killing people.

So, WHO IS BOB THOMPSON?

Citizens' group announces 3 new petitions to reform Norman city government

3 NEW PETITIONS FILED: Unite Norman Announces Reform Package to Improve City Government

NORMAN (October 20th) – Unite Norman, the grassroots group aiming to restore accountability and return city government to the people, announced today a sweeping package of reforms for creating more accountability and transparency for the people of Norman. It will also put forth a proposal to increase professionalism with regard to the way city council conducts its business.

This afternoon, Unite Norman unveiled a reform package that includes: 

'Unite Norman' succeeds in getting councilmember recall certified

RECALL CERTIFIED! Unite Norman’s Recall Effort Certified for Council Member Petrone

Mayor’s Recall Certification Will Not Be Announced Till Tomorrow — and Unite Norman Cautions about Legal Precedence Below;

ALSO: Grassroots Groups Cautions against Council Member Bierman’s Planned Doxxing of List of Petition Signers in the Mayoral Recall effort, Citing Intimidation and Harassment

NORMAN — Unite Norman responded to the City Clerk’s announcement today that the signature-gathering effort to recall Council Member Petrone is certified and will now head to the ballot box.

The announcement comes after the grassroots organization turned in more than 20,000 signatures to recall Mayor Clark, and thousands of signatures to recall Council Member Petrone, and after forcing the resignation already of Council Member Wilson in Ward 5.

'Unite Norman': supporters of mayor "still don't get it" when claiming 30,000 recall signers were tricked

“THEY STILL DON’T GET IT” – Supporters of Soon-To-Be-Recalled Mayor, City Council Say 30,000 Normanites Must Have Been “Tricked” into Signing Petitions — Nothing Could be Further from the Truth, Voters Were Very Informed as Recall Was One of the Most-Covered Stories in Norman this Summer

Mayor, City Council Supporters Suggesting that All of the People Who Signed the Petition — Women, Democrats, Independents, Republicans, People under Age 50, and People over Age 50 — Must Have Been Tricked, They Can’t Possibly Have Decided for Themselves

Continued denial from city leaders shows they still don’t get it

Norman Recall story has been the biggest political story of the summer —voters were very informed by daily Media stories, newspaper ads, doorstep visits, and social media discussions

NORMAN (August 19th)  — Supporters of the mayor and city council are suggesting that 30,000 Normanites were “tricked” into signing petitions to recall the mayor and city council — but nothing could be further from the truth.

After a contentious summer debating the Defunding of Police, the Recall story has arguably become one of the biggest news stories in Norman and that state. To suggest that the citizens in Norman didn’t know what the recall was over is just disingenuous.

It is a tactic straight out of the Democrats’ playbook — a tactic that has been used in other Recall elections, such as the Colorado Recalls, where signature gatherers there also got above & beyond the required signatures.

“This mayor and city council still don’t get it,” said Russell Smith, co-founder of Unite Norman. “Thousands of volunteers spent hundreds of hours talking with residents of Norman on their doorsteps, at least 100 local TV stories were aired on the issue, and dozens of hours were spent talking with the media, and with the public on social media.

Unite Norman: Ringleader of protestors for Defund the Police vote ran Mayor’s campaign

THE PLOT THICKENS: “Concerned Norman Resident” Who Testified to Defund the Police Is Actually Mayor Clark’s Campaign Manager 

Plus: Al-Michael’s own Bio states he is a resident of Oklahoma City 

NORMAN — The man who spoke with media as a “concerned Norman resident” the night of the Norman mayor’s and city council’s action to defund the police turns out to be neither an ordinary citizen, nor a resident of Norman.

In a post unearthed today, Al-Michael lists himself on Facebook as Mayor Breea Clark’s Campaign Manager in a post on her Inauguration Day. Yet — neither he nor the mayor disclosed his role on the mayor’s political campaign when he served as the ringleader of a shouting mob inside city council chambers on the night of the vote, June 16 and 17.

In a televised interview following the vote, Mayor Clark admitted to KOCO 5 that agitated protestors had had an impact on her and the council — yet she never once mentioned that the ringleader of those protests inside chambers was her own campaign manager.

During official business surrounding the vote, she didn’t point out this conflict of interest, either.

According to public records, Al-Michael’s name shows up on the campaign committee for Breea Clark as being paid $1,250 for “political consulting services.” Yet not once during the hearings did the Mayor disclose that she had a fiduciary relationship with him.

Additionally, Al-Michael portrayed himself inside city chambers & to the Media as a concerned Norman resident — even though ALL of his online bios and even his own Facebook page states he resides in Oklahoma City. (For example, “Taz Al-Michael,” as he is also referred to in other publications, is according to his own bio, also a “community organizer based out of Oklahoma City.” Source: NewLeadersCouncil.org His own Facebook account also says he lives in Oklahoma City: https://www.facebook.com/tas608) Seems like both the Media, and the people of Norman got skunked.

“Why was it never disclosed that Mayor Clark’s own Campaign Manager and Political Consultant was testifying to defunding the police, and leading the protestors inside chambers that night?,” asks Russell Smith, co-founder of Unite Norman. “Is it possible this was all one big set-up? At a minimum, shouldn’t it have been disclosed that the Mayor’s own Political Consultant with whom she had a financial relationship was inside City Hall trying to affect the outcome of the result for the people of Norman?”

“This young man’s own bio states that he is an actor,” said Sassan Moghadam, co-founder of Unite Norman. “It sounds like this was quite a charade — with the Mayor playing the leading role and the city council members playing cast of characters that night.”

Group asks: did Norman mayor hire actor to testify before vote to defund police?

Here's the latest in the drama out of Norman, Oklahoma...

Did the Mayor Hire an Actor to Testify as a Concerned Norman Resident for the Vote to Defund the Police?

An “Actor” on the Mayor’s Payroll Was Paid $1,250 before Testifying -- Actor’s own Bio states he is a resident of Oklahoma City 

NORMAN — In a televised interview, Mayor Clark told KOCO 5 that loud agitators had been successful in swaying her and the city council inside council chambers in a dark-of-night 4a.m. vote on June 17th to strip nearly $1 million from police budgets.

According to public records, it appears now that at least one of those people who testified was an Actor — and had previously been on Mayor Clark’s payroll. Tasneem Ahmad Al-Michael is listed as an “Actor” on promotional materials from the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR).

“Taz Al-Michael,” as he is also referred to in other publications, is according to his own bio, also a “community organizer based out of Oklahoma City.” Source: NewLeadersCouncil.org

'Unite Norman' calls on citizens to apply for vacant council seat

Applications Now Open to Fill City Council Seat in Ward 5 Vacated by Sereta Wilson; Unite Norman Calls upon Citizens to Apply

• Grassroots Group Calls for Applicants to Step Up, Let Their Voices Be Heard, and Make their Positions Known
• With Overwhelming 25% Support of Ward 5 in Recall Signatures Thus Far, Unite Norman Calls for the Grassroots Organization to Have a “Seat at the Table” on the Selection Committee

NORMAN — Unite Norman — the grassroots group behind the effort to recall the mayor and city council for defunding the police and not upholding the will of the people — is encouraging citizens to apply for the City Council seat in Ward 5, after the city announced today that applications are now available to backfill the position created by Sereta Wilson’s resignation.

The group encouraged citizens to step forward to serve and to let their positions be know on how to unite Norman.

“Our grassroots effort has made it very clear that voters here want a focus on Norman, not national politics and extreme ideologies,” said Russell Smith, co-founder of Unite Norman. “We encourage applicants to publicly make their priorities known, so the people or Norman know exactly where they stand on the issues.”

Unite Norman releases videos highlighting mayor, city council members in their own radical words

WORDS: New Series of Viral Videos Highlights Mayor, City Council Members in Their Own Radical Words

• Norman “Nuggets of Knowledge” Video Series Will Show Mayor and City Council Members Out of Touch with Norman, as Vulgar and Profane-Laced Statements Show Some Don’t Possess Temperament to Hold Public Office
• Council member Kate Bierman says she is no longer a fan of America’s birthday, the Fourth of July, and “I don’t give a s*** what you think about me!”
• Council Member Stephen Holman Suggested He’d Like to Turn Norman into a Sanctuary City

Norman – Unite Norman is launching a series of viral videos that show the mayor and the city council members — in their own words — are too radical for Norman.

In some cases vulgar, profanity-laced tirades also show that some members are unfit for public office.

In her own words, council member Kate Bierman states that she’s no longer a fan of the Fourth of July — a position held by far-left-wing radicals such as anarchists in places like Seattle’s CHOP/CHAZ zone; Portland, Oregon; and Washington, D.C. Source: “4 Grown-A** Women of the Apocalypse” podcast, 7/11/20  https://tinyurl.com/NotAFanofJuly4

In case you were wondering, Bierman doesn’t care what you think of her, “I don’t give a s*** what you think about me!” Source:  “4 Grown-A** Women of the Apocalypse” podcast, 5/11/20 https://tinyurl.com/IDontGiveASh

Council member Stephen Holman suggested that it’s not Norman Police Department’s job to check immigration status, thereby turning Norman into a de facto “Sanctuary City.” Source: City Council Meeting, 2/4/20 https://tinyurl.com/HolmanSanctuaryCitiesSupport

And, as we pointed out late last week, Mayor Clark is not to be outdone in the department of radical ideas as she pushes for allowing 16-year-olds to vote in municipal elections — an issue only supported by the most radical cities in the United States including Washington, D.C. and San Francisco. Source: City Council Meeting, 6/16/20 https://tinyurl.com/ClarkLet16YrOldsVote

“In their own words, the mayor and the city council members are showing that their ideas and policies are far outside the mainstream of Norman,” said Russell Smith, co-founder of Unite Norman. “This is the result of seven percent voter turnout in the last election. We must do better in the next.”

More videos are on the way. They will appear on Facebook and may appear on other Social Media platforms.

Unite Norman: we have more Recall signatures than votes that elected Norman mayor

Unite Norman Announces They’ve Surpassed in Signatures the Number of Votes that Elected Mayor Clark
Grassroots Effort Achieves More than 6,700 Signatures So Far — A Greater Number than the Votes that Put the Mayor in Office“Overwhelming support” from Normanites to recall the mayor, says founder

Norman (July 20th) — Unite Norman — the grassroots group behind the effort to recall the mayor and city council for defunding the police and not upholding the will of the people — announced today they are well on their way to getting the recall effort on the ballot.

The grassroots group shared that they have now garnered more than 6,700 signatures — that’s more voter support than Mayor Clark was actually elected with.

“The people of Norman are speaking overwhelmingly,” said Russell Smith, the founder of Unite Norman. “We’re only about a third of the way there, and certainly have more work to do, but we’re strongly encouraged by the overwhelming response of support from the voters.”

Unite Norman condemns anti-police group for posting home addresses of Norman police

Unite Norman Condemns Actions of Norman Facebook Page Targeting Police Officers, Doxxing Officers’ Home Addresses

Grassroots Organizers Say the Practice is Uncivil, Dangerous, Many officers’ wives, small children at home while Officers are working shifts

Norman — Unite Norman — the grassroots group behind the effort to recall the mayor and city council for defunding the police and not upholding the will of the people — condemned today a Norman group’s Facebook page for doxxing — releasing — the personal home addresses of Norman Police Department officers.

The Facebook page, “Norman Police Accountability Project,” has been releasing one-by-one the personal details, names, and street addresses of officers, drawing concern from officers and their families who are now targeted.

Norman police officers leaving force after defunding by mayor and city council

MASS EXODUS: More Norman Police Officers to Resign or Retire by Month’s End

• 7 Officers Plan to Depart by End of July (in two weeks)
• Resignations Come as 9 Officers’ Positions Are Already Scheduled to Be Cut
• PLUS: 7 More Officers Consider Leaving, Have Begun Interviewing & Testing at Other Cities
• Total of 25 Departures Would Be Nearly Three Times the Annual Average Turnover Rate 

Norman, OK (July 15th) — Seven Norman police officers are reportedly on their way out the door in two weeks, with seven more considering following, thanks to the recent Defunding of Police pushed by Mayor Breea Clark and the Norman City Council.

Reports of officers deciding to resign or retire come today as nine positions are already on the chopping block via the Mayor’s proposal. Officers preparing to depart were reported last week by KFOR TV. However, more departures have been confirmed today by the Fraternal Order of Police.

The total of now 25 officers’ positions would be nearly three times more than the annual average of departures. Norman police department reports that it usually has only about 10 departures per year normally.

“This is a real-life public safety concern for the entire community of Norman,” said Russell Smith, founder of Unite Norman, the organization whose goal is to recall the radical Mayor and the most radical members of the City Council. “As predicted, the reverberations of the Mayor’s and the City Council’s efforts to Defund the Police are already having a detrimental effect. This is the beginning of a mass exodus of frontline first responders who feel they are no longer backed by the city they serve. We must unite Norman around the support of critical frontline officers, or face the peril that more departures will bring.”

Fewer officers and defunding will likely mean longer response times for families, homeowners, and business owners in Norman, as well as less training for officers in the field.

For more information about Unite Norman, visit UniteNorman.com.

Citizen Group launches Recall of Norman Council and Mayor

Citizen Group Launches Recall of Council and Mayor

In an unprecedented show of civic solidarity, Unite Norman today initiated recall proceedings for the office of mayor and every city councilor eligible for recall.    This submission comes on the heels of a meeting of more than 700 residents who braved over 90-degree temperature on Wednesday to receive volunteer training for signature gathering and learn more about the effort.

“When this city council succumbed to an angry mob at three o’clock in the morning and decided to undo months of budget discussions, we all said enough is enough. This is no way to run our city.  We care too much about Norman and our law enforcement officers to let Norman be run this way,” said Chris Dragg one of the unpaid citizens organizing the effort.

“We really want a council that focuses on Norman, not the hot national news issue of the day, said Russell Smith, another longtime Norman resident helping the campaign.  “Unite Norman is about making certain our leadership puts Norman first instead of promoting personal ideologies and bringing Washington D.C. style politics to Norman.  We are better than that,” Russell Smith continued. 

1889 Institute argues that Oklahoma mayors acted unlawfully with COVID-19 orders

OKLAHOMA MAYORS ACTED UNLAWFULLY WITH COVID-19 ORDERS

The mayors of Oklahoma City, Tulsa, and Norman lacked authority under state law to order shelter in place.

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK (May 27, 2020) – The 1889 Institute has published “An Argument that Oklahoma’s Mayors Acted Unlawfully During COVID-19.” The legal analysis is authored by the Institute’s Legal Fellow, Ben Lepak, a municipal law expert given his experience counseling 24 elected officials across three Oklahoma counties in a previous position. He makes the case that mayors improperly issued shelter in place orders under a state law intended to combat riots and looting, not pandemic. The study argues that city social distancing rules more restrictive than the state’s are invalid.

“The mayors of Oklahoma’s three largest cities took extreme measures limiting their citizens’ freedoms and harming them financially without proper legal authority,” said Lepak. “These mayors claimed legal authority under laws that simply were never intended for containing a pandemic,” he said.

In the study, Lepak examines city ordinances and state laws governing the mayors’ orders, and concludes that the mayors misapplied the Riot Control and Prevention Act of 1968 and local city ordinances based on that Act. These laws were passed in response to social unrest in the late 1960s due to racial tensions and opposition to the Vietnam War.