Opinion
Thousands rally in DC to oppose COVID-19 vaccine mandates, demand ‘freedom’
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WASHINGTON – Hundreds gathered within the nation’s capital to protest in opposition to vaccine mandates nationwide, with attendees saying they had been standing up for “freedom.”
“I’m right here to be part of this motion, to combat for freedom and for the precise to resolve what’s proper in your physique,” one “Defeat the Mandates” rallygoer advised Fox Information.
Quite a few cities, together with Washington, D.C., in addition to personal entities, have enacted COVID-19 vaccine mandates. Vaccines supply superior safety in opposition to the virus, based on well being specialists who’ve additionally stated that mandates are an efficient software to advertise widespread vaccination.
“I’m from… a socialist nation, so I worth the liberty that they’ve right here,” a Vietnamese native advised Fox Information. He stated he attended the rally to “arise for my proper” and “combat for what I imagine.”
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One other girl stated: “We’re simply right here for freedom normally. Medical freedom, freedom of selection, simply having the ability to go to work and go into an institution and do regular issues with out having to topic ourselves to a medical, experimental vaccine.”
“Defeat the Mandates” rally crowd marches from the Washington Monument to the Lincoln Memorial
(Fox Information Digital/Lisa Bennatan)
The group gathered by the Washington Monument earlier than marching to the close by Lincoln Memorial to hearken to a number of audio system calling for an finish to mandates.
A number of firefighters marched on the rally whereas carrying an American flag.
Firefighters march within the “Defeat the Mandates” rally
(Fox Information Digital/Lisa Bennatan)
As a firefighter, “we make a option to take a danger,” a firefighter, Scott, advised Fox Information. “I’m blissful to serve and greater than prepared to do issues that some individuals may contemplate harmful.”
However “private selection nonetheless issues, and mandates should not proper on this nation, it doesn’t matter what it’s,” Scott continued.
“Defeat the Mandates” rally attendees marching in direction of the Lincoln Memorial
(Fox Information Digital/Lisa Bennatan)
A federal contractor felt equally and advised Fox Information that “the concept that individuals need to lose their jobs” as a way to get the vaccine bothered him.
“I imply, you may inform me issues I would like to try this pertain to my job and at my work website which might be vital for what I do at work, however so far as what goes on in the remainder of my life and what goes on in my physique, that’s, that’s as much as me,” he stated.
