Protesting or demonstrating is one of our fundamental rights and a way to express ourselves. However, due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, it is important to do it safely. To this end, the State has updated their guidelines to include political protest gatherings. It is strongly recommended that those exercising their right to engage in political expression, should utilize alternative channels, such as the many online and broadcasting platforms available in the digital age, in place of in-person gatherings.
However, state public health directives do not prohibit in-person protests as long as:
- attendance is limited to 25% of the relevant area’s maximum occupancy, as defined by the relevant local permitting authority or other relevant authority, or a maximum of 100 attendees, whichever is lower
- physical distancing of six feet between persons or groups of persons from different households is maintained at all times.
Failure to maintain adequate physical distancing may result in an order to disperse or other enforcement action. Face coverings are strongly recommended.
Participants must maintain a physical distance of six feet from any uniformed peace officers and other public safety personnel present, unless otherwise directed, and follow all other requirements and directives imposed by local health officers and law enforcement, or other applicable authorities. This limitation on attendance will be reviewed at least once every 21 days, beginning May 25, 2020. This review will assess the impacts of these imposed limits on public health and provide further direction as part of a phased-in restoration of gatherings that implicate the First Amendment.