Thread by @Yedois

April 19, Reopen NC co-founder: “Maintain social distancing expectations to avoid creating distraction from our message.”

Compare with photo from the protest today, April 21.

(h/t @TravisFain)

#ncpol #ncga #ReopenNC

Reopen NC co-founder told the group's members to maintain social distancing to avoid a "distraction" from their message.

Here's what the protesters did with that advice.

(h/t @rustyjacobsWUNC)

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After the Reopen NC protesters failed to follow the co-founder's advice to maintain social distancing so as to not "distract" from their message, the co-founder says she is proud of the protest today and pushes for more action.

#ncpol #ncga #ReopenNC

The other co-founder of Reopen NC, Ashley Smith, is an anti-vaxxer.

Plenty of anti-vaccination, conspiratorial posts are allowed in the Facebook group.

(newsobserver.com/news/politics-…)
(huffpost.com/entry/extremis…)

#ncpol #ncga #ReopenNC

Reopen NC co-founder and anti-vaxxer Ashley Smith says she was “reaching out” early on to officials like Lt. Gov. Dan Forest and that the Reopen NC group was started based on “a rumor” that Gov. Cooper would extend the shutdown until mid-June.

#ncpol #ncga #ReopenNC

After the interviewer lists three Republicans who have promoted the group, Reopen NC co-founder Ashley Smith is asked if the group is partisan. Her answer: “no, we’re nonpartisan” and references “the images” from the April 21 protest as evidence.

#ncpol #ncga #ReopenNC

Thinking about how one of the co-founders of this group said three days ago that they’re nonpartisan lol

#ncpol #ncga #ReopenNC

Audrey Whitlock, administrator in Reopen NC group who tested positive for COVID19 and may have attended the last protest, asks the group what they think about reporting your neighbor for not complying with the stay-at-home order.

(newsobserver.com/news/local/art…)

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Audrey Whitlock, who may have tested positive for the virus and may have attended the last protest, posted a link to a video which downplays the virus and said “we do not believe [the virus] is relevant in relation to denying Constitutional rights.”

#ncpol #ncga #ReopenNC

Note re: the video: it is limited to two California doctors' opinions. Other public health officials and professionals have since come out and disagreed with or disputed their calls to reopen.

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(kget.com/health/coronav…)
(turnto23.com/news/state/bak…)

The group’s co-founder, Kristen Elizabeth, says Audrey Whitlock tested positive for the virus but that she was NOT at the protest. Not sure what “retraction” she’s referring to, the story I read accurately reflected the news (tested positive, “no comment”)

#ncpol #ncga #ReopenNC