WOAI by Kelly Vaughen
(KUTV) — A Utah group has been organizing what they call flash mobs, where they show up to grocery stores without face masks.
The group “Defending Utah” has organized the demonstrations, and said they have plenty more planned for the future. Supporters who agree with their anti-mask message sign up on a phone list and get a text with the location of what store to meet at the day of the flash mob.
“In a world of masks, who is left to defend your rights?” That is the question asked in a YouTube video made by Defending Utah. The video shows one of their demonstrations where they walked into a store without face masks on.
“They’re going to do it again and again and again, every single Thursday,” the video goes on to say. “Now you don’t have to shop in fear.”
A spokesperson for Defending Utah, Scott Bradley PhD, wouldn’t go on camera, but said the group sees mask requirements as an encroachment of their freedoms.
“Our freedoms are never lost at once, but through baby steps. The statewide mask campaign is an attempt by the state to break up the population into giving up control of their bodies before attempting further encroachments on our freedom,” Bradley wrote. “It is long past time to draw the line in these small steps in defense of our constitution.”
Defending Utah’s Facebook page has more than 5,000 likes, but also many who are critical of them. Some who point out that masks have been proven to help protect from the spread of the coronavirus.
In response to that, Bradley wrote:
“there’s always people at risk in life. both the science and the data don’t support this popular claim.”
Another criticism of these demonstrations is that while they feel their freedoms are being infringed on, private businesses also have the right to make requirements of their patrons.
In response to that, Bradley wrote:
“We support the rights of businesses to control their property and refuse service.”
The group said their goal is “that more businesses and government entities will choose to follow the law and protect the rights of all Utahns, not just some of them.”