The Coast News Group
Protest organizer Crista Curtis, left, holds a sign alongside South Coast Highway 101 on Sunday in Encinitas. Curtis may face prosecution for organizing the event, according to a statement released by law enforcement. Photo by Jordan P. Ingram
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Joint statement from law enforcement regarding protests in Encinitas, San Diego

Below is a joint statement from San Diego County Sheriff’s Dept. and San Diego Police Dept. released on April 20 regarding the recent protests in San Diego, Encinitas:

“As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect our region and the nation, we are reminded of the delicate balance between the right to protest and enforcement of public safety laws. The San Diego Police Department and San Diego County Sheriff’s Department both recognize these concerns. As we continue to deal with this crisis as a region, it is important to understand we are all in this together. 

Over the weekend, protests were held across the county against Governor Newsom’s Executive Order and the County’s Public Health Order. 

On Saturday, a large protest was held in Downtown San Diego in front of Superior Court. Several hundred protestors gathered to voice their frustration, anger and disagreement with the governmental orders. On Sunday, a protest was held in Encinitas protesting the closure of beaches and public spaces. 

Saturday’s protest happened in San Diego Police Department jurisdiction. Sunday’s protest happened in Sheriff’s Department jurisdiction. Both law enforcement agencies recognize the public’s desire to express their First Amendment rights. 

The San Diego Police Department and San Diego County Sheriff’s Department recognize this fundamental right while balancing it with the need to enforce the public health orders. Both on Saturday and Sunday, the protests remained peaceful and once people’s voices were heard, the protests ended. 

Throughout these challenging times, law enforcement’s role has been to maintain public safety by ensuring community members are in compliance of the state and county regulations to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Numerous warnings have been given along with citations to those who violated these orders. 

Although the protests were allowed to take place, we must not forget the public health orders were put in place to protect our communities from the spread of COVID-19. While no citations were issued at the protests, that does not mean prosecution will not be sought, especially to the organizers of these events. 

Although these orders have caused great strain to all of us, they are in place to save lives. The San Diego Police Department and San Diego County Sheriff’s Department will continue to enforce the health orders.” 

35 comments

Elijah Hercules October 4, 2020 at 7:57 am

At the outbreak of COVID me and my husband were naieve enough to believe the lies of the mainstream media and the government. As far as I am concerned, if you buy this nonsense that governemt is locking down for our benefit, you must also believe in the easter bunny. A brilliant initiative I signed up to https://AntiLockDown.org will alert you of upcoming rallies that you can help them in your local area. really brilliant content, you should defo check them out

John Joseph Helly April 25, 2020 at 3:34 pm

This is not about first amendment rights or waxing your body, surfing, swimming or other forms of exercise. This is about a public health emergency which some of you apparently don’t believe is real. This is about patiently taking responsibility for protecting everyone else until this period of infection calms down. It’s not about you and your freedom. It’s about the life and death of others, including those who risk their lives to protect us all. Ask them if this is real or not. They need all our help to quell the spread of this disease and provide the medical system with enough time to develop adequate testing and treatment to ensure a stable environment for economic recovery.

Jeremy K. April 23, 2020 at 3:04 pm

Why was the Encinitas Fire Department allowed to use a city owned fire truck to support the demonstrators?
This has Mark Muir’s and Julie Thunder’s fingerprints all over this. They like to instigate anti-Blakespear rallies and this proved to be a vehicle to do this, under the veil of an anti Shelter in Place order, as if she was responsible for a global pandemic.

The CHP also supported this. These firefighters and cops should check their politics at the door when they go to work.

These cops went after anti Daryl Issa private citizen protesters for honking their car horns, but not firefighters and cops on duty… why is that OK?

Bill April 23, 2020 at 3:00 pm

Uh, Jimbo….the Constitution applies to the Federal government. States and locales can absolutely enact and enforce orders like this. Might be time to actually READ the Constitution (read CA’s as well).

“Do some research” – LOL!

Rich Peterson April 23, 2020 at 1:01 pm

Last night I watched a documentary on the holocaust. One of the survivors ended the segment with this statement: “Loose your freedom and you’ll loose everything.”

Encinitas Dad April 22, 2020 at 3:09 pm

“ States may also take more drastic measures, such as requiring citizens to be tested or vaccinated, even against their will. In Jacobson v. Massachusetts (1905), the Supreme Court considered a challenge to a state law requiring everyone to be vaccinated against smallpox. Henning Jacobson refused vaccination and was convicted. The court upheld the law and Jacobson’s conviction.

“The Constitution,” Justice John Marshall Harlan wrote for a 7-2 majority, “does not import an absolute right in each person to be, at all times and in all circumstances, wholly freed from restraint.” Instead, “a community has the right to protect itself against an epidemic.” Its members “may at times, under the pressure of great dangers, be subjected to such restraint, to be enforced by reasonable regulations, as the safety of the general public may demand.”

States also have the power, beyond criminal law enforcement, to make quarantine and isolation effective. If presented with widespread noncompliance, governors may call National Guard units to put their orders into force, to safeguard state property and infrastructure, and to maintain the peace. In some states, individuals who violate emergency orders can be detained without charge and held in isolation.”

The conservative Heritage Foundation.

https://www.heritage.org/the-constitution/commentary/constitutional-guide-emergency-powers

Ron Ranson April 21, 2020 at 7:26 pm

I didn’t know there were so many uninformed and sick people among us. Covid is the real deal. Maybe it will kill off the ammosexuals. Posting for a friend.

Jeremy K. April 21, 2020 at 6:59 pm

A joint statement that police will allow the spread of coronavirus. If it was a group of people with “Fuck the Police” placards, they would have been cited and sat down on a curb, ID’s run, handcuffed, lectured, questioned, intimidated, arrested…depending on skin color and signs of wealth. Disorderly conduct, disturbing the peace, loitering, public intoxication, whatever they can possibly use to shut them down would be used. Such bullshit. Wealthy white Trump idiots and their police force. The law is empty. I still respect the gun. That’s all the police have now. Just a South African seaside town.

EGS April 21, 2020 at 4:57 pm

You feckless whiners have no science degree, and have spent no time in a COVID ward. You have no idea whether you’re infected or contagious. If you were to contract it, it’s not “a three day flu”, it may be your last breath. And yet, you claim to be bored at home…be glad you’re not on a damn ventilator. I am not willing to die so you can trot on the trails and walk the beach and falsely politicize this pandemic. Jacobsen v Massachusetts, 197 US 11 (1905), for those whining about rights, is the precedent setting case which actually gives States the right to restrict your rights. Read, people. And in the meanwhile, be grateful you are not lying on a ventilator right now….when you are, these bs arguments will feel as petty as you appear to be.

Scott Fly April 21, 2020 at 1:22 pm

So “protect health orders ” over constitutional rights that they along with every member of the military have taken a sworn oath to protect, sounds like you have been bought and paid for by the state. If there is prosecution, im sure there with be millions if not billions of dollars spent on law suites aginst said agencies of the state for conspiring to violate the constitutional freedoms of the american public.

Rob Carrier April 21, 2020 at 12:31 pm

It is a hoax put on my the democrat media….all the other virus, many died. No action, only when Trump is in charge and they want to destroy America. All the young Democrats now see that the Democrats’ can take it all away and your rights don’t count at all. 2020 is a test for all young Democrats to vote for American, Donald Trump.

Kelly Antrim April 21, 2020 at 12:30 pm

Your nuts.

Gary Siegel April 21, 2020 at 2:36 pm

Always great to hear from Kelly with her insightful and knowledgeable commentary.

Jodi April 21, 2020 at 9:49 pm

You’re

D. Thomas April 21, 2020 at 12:20 pm

No one is forcing Mary Lou or anyone else for that matter to go outside. Get your groceries and other supplies delivered to your homes if you are afraid to go out. While I am all for reasonable precautions, MOST of us are not going to live in fear. Trying to intimidate protest organizers or protesters will only make matters worse. This is not Iran, North Korea etc. Newsom and other Governors have over-stepped their bounds in an effort to control the population. If you want to be a member of the sheep that is your right. We can’t shut down the country each time a new virus emerges. Many forget that domestic violence, depression, suicide or ALL part of the equation here too. I fully support your wish to remain home, wear masks etc. That said don’t be telling others how to live their lives. Stay safe.

Eileen Sutton April 21, 2020 at 11:59 am

Americans are tired of being home, the Covid death numbers are far less than those Americanswho die every year of Influenza!!! Staying in doors, its taking away American freedoms to be told to stay home & not work or socialize!! What kind of America is this, when the death stats being reported by MSM includes Covid as causes of death when people are just dying naturally or of other underlining issues!! The California Governor wants to STEAL the May & November elections by supporting ALL mail on ballots in order to ballot harvest!! I call this quarantine, Tyranny!!

Harvey Broadway April 21, 2020 at 11:22 am

We are not all in this together. This is a fraud and manipulative slogan perpetuated by Democrats and the liberal media to nationalize the absentee voting and ballot farming democrats used to bulldoze this state in 2018. This is a liberal internment and re-education placing every American in front of the constant bombardment of the liberal media propaganda and liberal entertainment industry programming.

They have deliberately exaggerated this virus, exaggerated the mortality of this virus, and exaggerated the effectiveness of a quarantine to stop this pandemic and kill the virus. USC, Stanford, and MIT studies have shown that this virus has already spread massively amongst the population at the rate of 2.7%-4% of every million people in a given city, county, or state making the mortality rate equalize nationally and globally at around .2% with a media age of mortality globally of 80 years old. Dr. Fauci and Dr. Birx either lied to Trump Toget this quarantine to serve the democrats OR they are incompetent with regards to pandemics and the value of herd immunity. Herd immunity, according to Dr. David Katz at Yale-Griffin, is the only way to break the chain of this pandemic. Vaccines are not only a year or more away, but are ineffective as viruses mutate.

This was a fraud at the beginning and anyone who says Global Citizen or We Are All in this Together is a covert operative of the Democratic Party. The Democratic Party are not the socialists we thought they were, they are authoritarian communists.

Kevin K April 21, 2020 at 10:39 pm

You sir. Are a moron.

Kim Martin April 21, 2020 at 11:21 am

Please read the constitution. Public health orders do not “trump” citizens constitutional rights.

Jesus Rodriguez April 21, 2020 at 11:06 am

I’d like to know what law is being cited that gives the public health department the right to suspend a US citizens right to protest?

According to the supremacy clause of the US Constitution, no laws can be made that are contrary to that of the Constitution, and all officials are bound by it.

California’s constitution states that the US Constitution is the supreme law of the land.

Again, please show me what law these health officials and the Governor is using to place these orders on the Citizens?

B E. April 21, 2020 at 11:06 am

You are free to stay inside away from others , however l prefer hazardous Liberty over a false sense of security

Sharon Brady April 21, 2020 at 11:04 am

The US and CA STATE Constitutions prohibit local gov’t from stay at home lockdown orders. That is why no violations were issued.
Leaders must fight this if prosecuted, if without legal representation.

Jeremy K. April 21, 2020 at 6:06 pm

On behalf of Encinitans sequestered in their homes, willfully and dutifully following the legally binding directives of federal, state, county, and city leaders, which directives are properly informed on a rolling basis by scientific facts surrounding this pandemic, I am calling for the immediate arrest, incarceration of, and prosecution of Crista Curtis of Encinitas for instigating and forming this illegal protest via social media. The charges should include intimidation and harassment of an elected official (Mayor Blakespear) at her home during a stay at home order. This was an illegal Republican rally.

Folks, you simply must stop listening to Alex Jones, Rush Limbaugh, Donald Trump, etc….. you must come to your senses and help (and not fight) the push against the spread of this disease, just for a short time. Put away your culture war rhetoric and your selfishness just for short while. Think of others, just for a short while… I know it’s not a natural trait for you smooth brained pre-hominid newly bipedal Republicans. Gather all of your brain cells. All seven.

Mary Lou Schultz April 21, 2020 at 10:05 am

The organizers should be arrested and cited for endangering the community and violating the stay-at home orders. The rest of us must be protected from those who are spreading the virus because they”can’t get their eyebrows waxed.”

Lori April 21, 2020 at 10:58 am

I commend these organizers. We have freedom of speech and freedom to assemble rights for a reason. These were peaceful protests. Mary Lou Schultz, you are close minded and insensitive in your response. Are you a business owner who has been deemed “non essential”? Have you had your ability to earn a living taken away from you? Please consider what’s really going on before commenting.

Minni Mouse April 21, 2020 at 12:56 pm

Mary Lou Schultz..Baa baa baa baa, I hate the sound of bleeting sheep! You are precisely the kind of person that allowed Hitler to gain power. Wake up and smell the ruling class communists!!!

Andrea April 21, 2020 at 3:02 pm

I’m with you!

Lynn Garrett April 21, 2020 at 7:10 pm

We, who are staying home, are doing so to save lives. There will be fall out from this. It’s gonna suck, but better that, than death. I’ve had people I know die horrible deaths, and they were young. Those deaths will increase exponentially if the order is laxed. Then we will be right back where we began. The essential employees right now are carrying a trendies burden and daily threat. To put them in continued harms way by perpetuating the danger is an absolute disgrace.

Kelly April 21, 2020 at 12:19 pm

My freedoms don’t end at the beginning of your hysteria. If you want to stay inside, stay inside…you won’t be missed. If you want to continue to be a sheep, feel free to continue. But the rest of us know a con job when we hear/see one.

Laura W April 22, 2020 at 7:40 am

If you really believe that, Kelly, then I want you to write a Living Will stipulating that you will refuse all treatment when you contract Covid-19, leaving healthcare resources for people who actually care about others.

Jim April 21, 2020 at 2:22 pm

“endangering the community and violating the stay-at home orders.”
This is an outrageous statement. What about the constitution and the unalienable rights we the people have. UNALIENABLE!!
Those so called orders are an attempt to try and remove these unalienable rights, this is where the danger is.
Anyone that worries about catching a bad flu should remain at home, stick your head under a rock because you might get sick.
Do some true research, get some true numbers pay more attention to the world around you.
You who make such comments are the same people that bitch and complain about something on TV that you don’t like, but yet you wont turn the TV.
SMH

Bill April 23, 2020 at 2:59 pm

Uh, Jimbo….the Constitution applies to the Federal government. States and locales can absolutely enact and enforce orders like this. Might be time to actually READ the Constitution (read CA’s as well).

“Do some research” – LOL!

Jennifer de la Fuente April 21, 2020 at 6:33 pm

Mary Lou, thank you. I work at the hospital and knowing that Encinitas residents like you are being smart and cautious makes me feel protected and grateful.

Cassie April 22, 2020 at 12:47 am

Screw you lady! It’s called a FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHT! If YOU don’t like it, then YOU can stay home!!

Jeremy K. April 24, 2020 at 11:29 am

I’m now recommending that all Republicans inject Lysol, or ingest an entire can, to immediately cure society of them.

The President of the United States is recommending the ingestion of Lysol to treat Covid-19.

In four days, there will be another 10,000 dead Americans. Some of them will have died by drinking Lysol.

Comments are closed.