GOVERNOR IGE FAILS TO AFFIRM RIGHT TO PEACEABLY ASSEMBLE

News Release from Hawaii Republican Party, August 27, 2020

Honolulu, HI – Last week the Hawaii Republican Party submitted a petition of grievances to the Governor of Hawaii, and the Mayor of the City and County of Honolulu. We respectfully requested the Governor and the Mayor to affirm that the right of the people to assemble peaceably has not been abridged or infringed.

The letter quoted Article I Section 4 of the Constitution of the State of Hawaii: 

“No law shall be enacted respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof, or abridging the freedom of speech or of the press or the right of the people peaceably to assemble and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.”

On behalf of the people of Hawaii, we petitioned the Governor and the Mayor to affirm that the citizens of Hawaii have an inalienable right to use their speech, to campaign, to wave signs in public places in a manner that does not infringe in the rights of others or does not threaten public safety. We asked them to confirm that Police Departments and Public Officers would not be given orders that would abridge or violate the rights of the people of Hawaii

The petition that was sent to the Governor of Hawaii, and to the Mayor of the City and County of Honolulu, and has gone unanswered as of today.

There are 70 days until the people of Hawaii select Mayors, City Council members, State Representatives, State Senators, US Congress members, as well as the President of the United States. The right of the people to select and elect their leaders is the foundation of our Republic.  The United States was born when colonists determined it was intolerable to be governed without representation.  The right of free speech and to peaceably assemble were considered imperative and definitive constraints on Government power.  To conduct a free and fair election, Americans must be able to exercise their speech freely, publicly and void of constraint on lawful conduct.  This election is too important and candidates of all parties need to be fully engaged with the electorate.

The failure of the Governor and the Mayor to affirm and secure the Constitutional rights of the people of Hawaii to peaceably assemble could  be viewed as interference with, and control of, the outcome of Hawaii’s General Election.

PDF: HIGOP letter to Ige.

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