NH governor cancels outdoor inaugural ceremony, citing mask protests at his home
Armed protesters have been gathering outside New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu s home in the weeks since he issued a mask order.
Credit: AP
FILE - In this Nov. 3, 2020 file photograph, N.H. Gov. Chris Sununu wears a protective mask, due to the COVID-19 virus outbreak, at a polling station in Windham, N.H. New Hampshire joined three dozen other states, including the rest of New England, in enacting a statewide mask mandate as the coronavirus pandemic intensifies. Sununu issued an executive order requiring masks to be worn in public spaces, indoors or outside, when social distancing isn t possible, which goes into effect on Thursday Nov. 19, 2020. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa, File)
Sununu cancels outdoor inauguration ceremony over protest concerns
FILE - In this Nov. 3, 2020 file photograph, N.H. Gov. Chris Sununu wears a protective mask, due to the COVID-19 virus outbreak, at a polling station in Windham, N.H. New Hampshire joined three dozen other states, including the rest of New England, in enacting a statewide mask mandate as the coronavirus pandemic intensifies. Sununu issued an executive order requiring masks to be worn in public spaces, indoors or outside, when social distancing isn t possible, which goes into effect on Thursday Nov. 19, 2020. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa, File)
Modified: 12/30/2020 9:12:37 PM
CONCORD New Hampshire’s Republican governor said Wednesday that he is canceling his outdoor inauguration ceremony next month because of public safety concerns namely, armed protesters who have been gathering outside his home in the weeks since he issued a mask order.
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Sununu issued an executive order that took effect Nov. 20 requiring masks to be worn in public spaces, indoors or outside, when social distancing isn’t possible because of the coronavirus pandemic.
He said at the time a mandate was appropriate, given the rising percentage of positive test results, the fact that the number of people hospitalized with COVID-19 had doubled in the past two weeks, there were new outbreaks at five nursing homes, and an incredibly alarming rate of community transmission by people who aren’t showing symptoms. The order expires Jan. 15.
Newfields police issued citations on Tuesday to a group of protestors who gathered outside the home of Gov. Chris Sununu in defiance of a recently passed ordinance that prohibits picketing in the town.
The ordinance, which was passed on December 22 by the selectboard, outlaws protests “before or about the residence or dwelling of any individual in the Town,” with violators subject to $100 fines.
The measure came in response to regular protests near Sununu’s home that began shortly after he issued a statewide mask mandate in November.
Among those cited for violating the ordinance on Tuesday was a
NH Journal reporter who was covering the rally.
Protestor arrested outside of Sununu’s home, governor cancels outdoor inauguration
Protesters gathered outside Republican Gov. Chris Sununu’s private home in Newfields to rally against the new statewide mask mandate. Paul Steinhauser
Published: 12/30/2020 3:51:45 PM
More than a month since protesters started gathering outside New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu’s home in Newfields over his order requiring masks, police issued summonses to nine people and arrested one of them under a new anti-picketing ordinance passed by the selectboard, which includes Sununu’s brother.
Skylar Bennett, 38, of Concord, said Wednesday he will contest his arrest on charges of criminal trespass and disorderly conduct at a candlelight vigil outside the home on Monday night.