Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A community meeting in Florida has gone viral after residents opposed a "devil's law" mandating the wearing of masks, that they said was part of a grand conspiracy connected to the Deep State, 5G, Bill Gates, Hillary Clinton and paedophiles.
Palm Beach County issued an emergency order making masks compulsory starting on Thursday, with a maximum fine of $500 for those who fail to wear them.
A community meeting erupted with cries of "shame" as the law was passed unanimously after impassioned pleas from residents over what they saw as a threat to the American constitution failed to move county commissioners.
A video of one woman, circulated widely on Twitter, accused politicians and doctors of being part of the "Deep State" and said anyone who went against the freedom of choice and wore a mask would be subject to a citizen's arrest.
‘You cannot mandate… knowing that the mask is killing people... We the people are waking up and we know what a citizen’s arrest is. Because citizen’s arrests are already happening and every single one of you that’s obeying the devil’s laws are going to be arrested," she said.
The woman continued a stream of consciousness, with comments including: "You’re trying to get the people to train them so when the cameras, the 5G come out, when they’re going to scan everybody… We got to get scanned, we got to get temperatured, the kids have to go to school with masks… Are you insane? Are you crazy… I think all of you should be in a psych ward right the heck now."
She continued: “What happened to Bill Gates? Why is Hillary Clinton not in jail? Why are all of these paedophiles that are demanding you all listen to their rules, why are they not in jail? Oh, is it because you’re part of them? Are you part of the Deep State?”
The meeting, usually only of interest to the South Florida community of Palm Beach, went viral after former basketball star Rex Chapman shared the video on Twitter, garnering almost 11 million views and spawning mash-ups with the local government parody Parks and Recreation.
A man urged the commission to honour the constitution, saying he would die for the American flag and the rights they were supposed to uphold, while another woman said the "communist dictatorship orders" would place the deaths of many on their hands.
“The problem with humanity today is ignorance, arrogance, and apathy. Keep listening to the TV brainwashing you from birth. Keep listening to conditioning messages in your local stores while shopping, just like Fidel Castro did over loudspeakers in Cuba. Don’t you see the problem? The truth is out there," the woman said.
Another woman questioned the credentials of Palm Beach County Department of Health director Alina Alonso.
“I have many questions about your degrees and what you really know, because what you say is the political dogma that they’re trying to shove down our throats on every commercial and every store, and it’s disgusting,” she said.
"And I’m sorry, ma’am, but I don’t think you are worthy of your credentials and I would ask suggestively that you go back to school and get educated."
The county placed the mask order after an uptick in new coronavirus cases in Florida, which commissioner Melissa McKinlay said were increasing at a concerning rate.
“We had hoped the public could self-police and heed the Mayor’s recommendations issued weeks ago but that isn’t happening,” she said.
New coronavirus cases in Florida continued to surge at record numbers, with more than 5,000 new cases reported for the second consecutive day bringing the state total to 114,018 cases with 3,422 deaths by Thursday evening.
Palm Beach has been one of the most-affected counties, with a total of 11,840 positive cases with 499 deaths as of late Thursday.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments