Oregon Governor Kate Brown has ordered citizens in the state to snitch on their neighbors if they see them breaking coronavirus rules.
Brown: Citizens Should Snitch On Their Neighbors To Keep People Safe
Governor Brown said that people should call the police on anyone they see breaking the coronavirus rules that Oregon has recently instituted. The state has put a two-week “freeze” in place, with people limited to meeting up in no more than groups of six from two households, inside and outside.
“This is no different than what happens if there’s a party down the street and it’s keeping everyone awake,” Brown said in an interview on Friday.
“What do neighbors do [if they see that happening]? They call law enforcement because it’s too noisy. This is just like that. It’s like a violation of a noise ordinance,” she continued.
“For the last eight months I have been asking Oregonians to follow the letter and the spirit of the law and we have not chosen to engage law enforcement,” Brown added. “At this point in time, unfortunately, we have no other option.”
Anyone violating the rules could face up to 30 days in jail, coupled with a maximum fine of $1,250. While not required, Brown encouraged Oregon citizens to “rethink” how they celebrate thanksgiving, and “wear a mask.”
We are eight months into the pandemic. We all have COVID fatigue. But we must stay vigilant. As the holidays approach, the best way to show our love this season is to rethink how we celebrate. I'm urging all Oregonians to limit their holiday get-togethers and wear a mask! pic.twitter.com/orcsXuDwQM
— Governor Kate Brown (@OregonGovBrown) November 20, 2020
RELATED: Rural Oregon Counties Have Had It – Vote To Break Off And Join Red State Idaho
Oregon Allows Riots, But Not Thanksgiving!
The plan has faced harsh criticism from politicians.
“In Oregon, you can be jailed for having too many people over for Thanksgiving,” Representative Jim Jordan of Ohio tweeted. “But if you want to riot and loot in Portland, no sweat!”
In Oregon, you can be jailed for having too many people over for Thanksgiving.
But if you want to riot and loot in Portland, no sweat!
— Rep. Jim Jordan (@Jim_Jordan) November 16, 2020
The plan specified by Governor Brown does not specifically address riots and protests, but does allow for religious gatherings indoors of up to 25 people, and 50 people outdoors. However, the riots in Portland were not mentioned at all as a cause of coronavirus spread by Oregon authorities.
Representative Jordan attacked coronavirus regulations more broadly in an interview with Fox News on Sunday.
“This has gotten so ridiculous and we forget this is America,” Jordan said.
“When the first lockdown happened, the attorney general of the United States sent out a memo to all U.S. attorneys… near the end of the memo he had a great line. He said, ‘the Constitution is not suspended during a crisis.’ And amen to that,” Jordan continued.