The “Freedom From the Pandemic” rally Saturday, Sept. 19 drew a sizeable crowd that covered the West side of the Colorado County Courthouse grounds.
The outdoor event, sponsored by The Barn Builders of Colorado County, had several speakers focused on the use of Hydroxychloroquine to help fight the COVID-19 virus. Hydroxychloroquine has been used in medical settings to treat arthritis and to prevent malaria.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Disease Control (CDC) caution against the use of Hydroxychloroquine or chloroquine for COVID-19 outside of the hospital setting or a clinical trial due to risk of heart rhythm problems.
The event featured speakers Dr. Stella Immanuel, Dr. Richard Urso, and State Rep. Ben Leman.
Amidst a sea of attendees not wearing masks was a backdrop of masked, peaceful protestors and a phalanx of law enforcement from multiple agencies whose officers stayed at a courteous distance.
Columbus Mayor Lori An Gobert opened up the event by stating the City of Columbus does not represent either side, but wanted to guarantee the Consitutional right to freedom of speech.
Mark Potter, a spokesperson for the Barn Builders, led the Pledge of Allegiance, invocation, and provided a bit of Columbus history.
Urso, a board-certified Ophthalmologist from Houston, presented a lengthy speech in which he pointedly stated, “Regular masks don’t work. Hydroxychloroquine does.” Dr. Urso also supports “Herd Immunity,” where 20 percent of the population is exposed to an illness, at which time there could be a leveling off and/or a drop in positive cases.
Immanuel, a Cameroonian-American physician and pastor, said she is “not anti-mask,” and is “for Hydroxychloroquine” for the treatment of COVID-19.
Immanuel gave a fiery speech whose message was “follow the money.”
“This is bigger than the election,” she said.
Immanuel gave multiple examples where she said she prescribed the controversial drug to “hundreds of her patients.”
She said, “Nobody needs to get sick. This virus has a cure.” In a tweet by Immanuel on Aug. 24, 2020, she said that the Texas Medical Board has opened an investigation against her.
Immanuel made the claim, although unsubstantiated, that many in government take Hydroxychloroquine including President Donald Trump.
State Rep. for District 13 Ben Leman praised Colorado County Judge Ty Prause, who he has worked with closely throughout this pandemic, calling Prause a “tremendous jewel and an honorable man who stands for the Constitution.”
Leman said Prause has taken considerable time to explain to officials the level of risk in Colorado County is relatively small. Leman also took his time at the podium to praise local law enforcement, which received a standing ovation from the crowd.
He then went on to state that he signed a bill put forth by Governor Abbott in support of law enforcement and against defunding police.
Leman went on to say he wanted everyone to know that he is working on various items facing the use of Hydroxychloroquine and the responses to COVID-19.
The Citizen contacted Leman for more information, “Since the beginning of COVID-19, my office and I have spent countless hours working with state and local governments to minimize the impact of the virus and its effect on our economy,” Leman said in a statement to The Citizen. “ I have participated in numerous conference calls with federal, state, and local officials and I have visited with many of my constituents to listen and address their needs. Based on the feedback I have received, I have written several letters to the Governor as well as state agencies outlining the concerns expressed to me. Never has our state been in a perpetual disaster like the one we are currently experiencing. As we approach the 87th Legislative Session, I am reviewing the level of authority and actions taken since the pandemic began, such as the ill-conceived act by Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo as she sought to release hundreds of inmates for no other reason than to ‘help stop the spread of COVID-19’. As a state we need to ensure there are better checks and balances in place should we find ourselves in a similar situation in the future,” Leman’s statement continued.
About a dozen protestors stood off to the side, carried signs and wore masks, and made their presence known when a speaker made a comment that they disagreed with.
Protesters in attendance said they were there to protest “false and medically irresponsible information being given about COVID-19 and its treatments by the speakers brought in by the Barn Builders.”
Other than the occasional verbal disagreement, the protestors were peaceful in their position.
Protestor Joe Palasota, a former Houston resident and current Columbus resident, said, “I am here to combat misinformation and the lies. The health of our entire community is at risk, not just who is here today. We must rely on our public health officials. I care about the health of the community.”
Another protestor, native Columbus resident Pauline Kearney, told the Citizen, “I am a seven-year cancer survivor. I have had my immunity wiped clean twice and have had to have every vaccine redone twice. Vaccines, created by science, created properly will save us all.”
When asked about the extra police presence, Columbus Police Chief Skip Edman said, “I would rather be pro-active than not have enough officers to help if needed.”
All officers, including DPS, stood at a distance and maintained a close eye on all activities surrounding the event.
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September 23, 2020 at 05:01AM
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“Freedom From the Pandemic” rally draws a large crowd - Colorado County Citizen
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