KHTS Radio Santa Clarita Radio – Santa Clarita News
Hundreds of Santa Clarita residents gathered together in Valencia late Thursday afternoon for a “Reopen Santa Clarita” Rally aimed at expressing their opposition to the extension of Los Angeles County’s “Safer at Home” order.
https://www.facebook.com/khtsradio/videos/1523588207819429/
Residents gathered on all four corners of the intersection of Valencia Boulevard and McBean Parkway on Thursday as part of the “Reopen Santa Clarita” Rally.
“Our actual cities, our north valleys, aren’t really impacted,” said one person at the rally who only gave his first name as Keith. “Why are we being held to the same standard as massively dense populations like L.A.? It’s just not right.”
Organizers of the rally stated that the goal of the rally was to “bring awareness to our fellow Santa Claritians, LA County BOS and the State of California Assembly, Senate members and Governor of the plight of Santa Clarita Valley businesses, nonprofits and schools which are being crushed by the Safer At Home order extension.”
“We believe these orders are being unequally applied to certain businesses while others are allowed to operate,” reads a statement organizers sent out to supporters. “We believe all businesses can be opened with appropriate safety protocols.”
Photo by David Melnarik/KHTS News.
Supporters cited the right to “peaceably assemble” granted to all U.S. citizens under the First Amendment. Organizers asked those who attended to park away from business so that they would not disrupt their customers’ access. Additionally, they told attendees to “be respectful of those who disagree with us,” and to “just wave and smile.”
“Our businesses are suffering, our citizens are suffering,” Keith said. “We pay taxes. When you don’t get that revenue, cities die.”
See Related: Hundreds Gather In Valencia To Protest ‘Safer At Home’ Order
Less than three weeks earlier on May 5, the same group had organized a protest in the same location to protest the “Safer at Home” order, along with other social restrictions placed on the state of California.
“We’re here to responsibly react to the extensions of the government shutdown on businesses, on churches, on schools,” protest organizer Greg Wolf said at the time. “We are out here today to express our concern that our rights are being usurped unequally by the governor, by L.A. County, and by the City.”
While protesters at the time also expressed that the gathering was within their First Amendment rights, detractors say that the protest violated current health and safety standards in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
A group of protesters calling for the reopening of Santa Clarita during a protest on May 5. Photo by Jamie Araki/KHTS News.
Exactly one week after that protest, the Santa Clarita City Council unanimously voted to send a letter formally opposing Los Angeles County’s extension to the “Safer at Home” order.
“After two months of adhering to the guidelines and directives issued by both State and County Public Health officials, the City of Santa Clarita can continue the progress against the virus, while allowing our local economy to slowly and responsibly initiate the recovery process,” Santa Clarita Mayor Cameron Smyth wrote to Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger that Friday.
During the meeting, councilmembers and the city manager discussed the possibility of the City of Santa Clarita, or a coalition of northern L.A. County cities such as Palmdale and Lancaster, to create a local public health department, as they are all currently under the jurisdiction of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.
“The County is more restrictive than the state,” Councilmember Bob Kellar said at the time. “We are in a position where we have to line up with the rest of them.”
See Related: Santa Clarita To L.A. County: ‘Flexibility Is Justified’ For ‘Safer At Home’ Order
The City of Santa Clarita, whose economy relies “heavily” on entertainment, film, aerospace production, retail and food services, was named the third hardest hit city in California by the COVID-19 pandemic, and the 17th in the entirety of the United States.
“The economic impact to this community has been and will be devastating, yet the rate of infection remains very low,” Smyth wrote in his letter to Barger.
David Melnarik / KHTS News
On Tuesday, May 19, officials with the county announced that their goal was to safely reopen by July 4.
“The economic and sociological impacts created by the COVID-19 shutdown have hurt our vulnerable populations the most,” Supervisor Barger said in a statement released Tuesday. “The County (…) is prepared to move forward with recommendations that ensure the safety and well-being of employees and customers while safeguarding public health.”
As of Thursday afternoon, a total of 1,000 cumulative cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in the Santa Clarita Valley since testing began in March. These include:
- 623 in the City of Santa Clarita
- 35 in the unincorporated areas of Canyon Country
- 287 in Castaic*
- As of Thursday, May 21, this included 233 cases among prisoners at the North County Correctional Facility, and 34 at the Peter J. Pitchess Detention Center.
- Four in the unincorporated areas of Saugus
- 29 in Stevenson Ranch
- Seven in the unincorporated areas of Valencia
- 15 in the unincorporated areas of Val Verde
No cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in the unincorporated areas of Newhall as of Thursday afternoon.
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Can we egg just the ones with no masks on out there? the rest are fine. Im all for opening everything up and doing away with this lock down if everyone has a mask on at work and in public places with people around.
hahaha @ Will lots of sheriff watching in the mall parking lot (i am sure in silent support since my BF is LE) try to egg and you would be going to jail and when you would be released a civil lawsuit would follow so act all tough keyboard warrior. No one asked what you are for. the first month on lock down no one wore masks than a flash of brilliance hit the half a million dollar salary non MD for La County lets have them wear useless masks. In your case to hide, an unattractive face, that would be a necessity for the rest of us its called choice
Yes our brilliant CDC failed us from the start, masks should have been the number one recommendation. A lot of my family is sheriff’s they support the wearing of masks. Only the ignorant do not.
They support wearing masks yet don’t wear them in the streets where they should be wearing them it’s ridiculous .
What a nasty response don’t expect for people to care about your position on the matter when you ignore others concerns
It’s like they refuse any type of responsibility. It’s such a small ask and they can’t even do that. They’re disgusting overgrown babies, just like trump
Youy wrong jerk, stay home we don’t care
I am so happy to see that most of the responses show wisdom and respect for science and humankind. These protesters are foolish to jeopardize their own health and that of others to defend their stance. This country could support everyone adversely effected. but selfishly chooses not to. Also I saw that protest and just for your information Trumps Inauguration was WAY bigglier than Obama’s!
They’re back! The poor put-upon White Privilege Don’t Tread on Me toad-voters. Key word- ME, not WE. Odd how they are so willing to ignore the dangers still present. Do they know we are still on the uphill side of the deadly pandemic with no vaccine, no cure, or are they just too self-absorbed to care?
Oh screw the fake news pandemic, We got a three-day holiday comin’ and it’s our constitutional right to… (fill in your own dumbassity) We would not be a so-called free country if this type of attitude existed during WWII when people joined to fight the common enemy, fascism, which is what we are going deep into under this misadministration. What is it that they don’t get? Is it because this time the enemy is invisible? So is god but that doesn’t keep them from believing. No. This is an organized event trying to stir people to the point of irrationality in support of Trump’s reelection chances.
Why is it everyone fears a virus now? how many virus’s have we had and we didnt close down the country and we lost many lives even children how do live with virus we take care of our selves, I dont need the goverment to tell me what I can do and when I can do it. I think we are all capable of taking care of ourselves. if we wanted socialism we all would be living in China.. we are not far away from living like that here in America.
Oh My,
You are really confused. We are in a pandemic. Don’t you get that?
I agree with you!
I’m totally against the mask less idiots out there. But I can’t see myself voting for biden, it’s hard to imagine that old guy representing strong,proud America when meeting up with the world leaders.
Yeah, we are doing so much better with the moron in chief. Yes, he looks like a petulant child. Sure, he can’t get a sentence out. Absolutely, he’s a rapist and he suffers from dozens of mental illnesses along with dementia. But, and this is really important, we don’t want someone decent representing the country in front of world leaders!
He’d would have at least listened to the experts…
The so called experts are the ones responsible for this outbreak in the first place with their stupid six foot idea instead of just telling everyone to get some sort of face covering on out there
Will, I will pray that you or one of your family members don’t get this virus. Everything being done is to protect you but you feel your rights are being impaired. There are a lot of people like you in the cemetery today who decided to stand up for their rights. I am sure there is room for you and your rights.
Wearing a mask is against your rights lol
NO, Will, weeks went by with our PRESIDENT golfing and rallying. He didn’t sound the alarm because he is a narcissist who thinks he knows better than the well-educated epidemiologists! His followers believed him. What a mess.
And don’t start in on blaming the media. He’s a big boy who has had countless hours at the podium where he could have made a big difference in this!!!
CDC didn’t sound the alarm,the President is supposed to give us faith this will not be the end of us CDC is supposed to tell us how to stop the spread.they failed
Anne, plz put down the Kool-Aid… You’re watching too much Communist News Network again… But speaking about golfing, I’ve mentioned to you, previously in a different thread, that Obozo went out golfing IMMEDIATELY AFTER extremely critical incidents that needed his immediate attention. That incident was when our Ambassador and others were brutally assassinated in Libya and Obozo did NOTHING except go golfing immediately afterwards. So, every time you bash Trump for golfing and simply just blaming him for everything, I will, once again, trash your statement with the FACTS…
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-slams-biden-ad-critical-of-golf-outing
Glad to see KHTS isn’t inflating the numbers like last time. There were dozens, especially if you count kids. Not hundreds, like they stated last time.
And let’s not forget that these few dozen selfish, classless fools are easily dwarfed by the thousands who are being responsible. Screw these morons acting like they’re so put upon by having to consider someone beyond themselves. And the trump flags are a nice touch. You’ll know who to thank when you al get sick.
@David someone counted 564 you say dozens
Thumbs up, David.
Notice that 2 of the three photos in this article are from May5!!!! Must not have been enough photo opportunities with the meager numbers demonstrating on the 21st!!!,
David I counted 359 at about 5:30 I walked the perimeter 2 times and came up with 362 the second time. So neither high nor low number was correct at that time. Not sure why people just can’t report it even close the accurate number. Some came only for an hour some the whole time, the only number I am sure of is the actual count I did, given that some were walking around I am sure it was not completely perfect, but close.
So glad some of our community isn’t cowering in fear. Not everyone wants to be on government assistance. Not everyone runs on fear. Many want to work and live life because long in fear is not living at all. We all have a choice and can decide what is best for our lives. Just because we want to open and live does not mean we are being reckless. For you who want to wear masks and stay home, good for you. You may be safe…or not. All viruses are 18 times more likely to transfer from person to person in limited indoor spaces. But if you are okay with that, then you have the right and nobody is forcing you. So give us the same respect we give you.
Respect? Please I am so sick of hearing people say “stay home if you’re scared.” This has nothing to do with being scared; it does have everything to do about being safe during a global pandemic. Oh! here’s a newsflash: viruses are likely to spread when you get too close to strangers who fail to respect personal space and fail to wear a face mask during a lame protest.
It has been said, you can’t fix stupid, apparently you can’t quarantine it either.
P.S. you might want to learn how to spell tyranny before you protest against it. What a loser.
“This has nothing to do with being scared, it does have everything to do about being safe during a global pandemic.” Translation: I’m scared. Hold me. But only if you put on a mask first because that’s the false reassurance I crave.
False reassurance lol tell that to the doctors wearing them
Don’t talk about fear. These are the same people who think every minority is out to rape and kill them. Trump played on your idiotic fears. All you maskless trump supporting morons need to STFU forever
David as one of the “maskless trump supporting morons” in the vulnerable Covid-19 age group who values her freedom and rights guaranteed under the US Constitution and has lived through many epidemics that were supposedly going to kill me, I would tell you to STFU and I am not afraid to show my full real name either. You have every right to hide at home, wear a mask, call us insulting names, etc. You do not have the right to tell the rest of us what to do. The so called experts cannot get it right and do not even agree amongst themselves. I have not attended any of these protests but support their right to voice their opinion. I also support jackasses like you having the right to be nasty but I do not have remain silent when you are.
Thank you Star! I’m tired of hearing it too! Well said!
Wanting to stop the collapse of the medical system isn’t fear. It’s disgusting that you equate acting responsibly with fear. Must say a lot about you.
You all show no respect at all by ignoring any type of measure to slow the virus down. Don’t ask for something you refuse to give. And cut it out with the fear BS. No one thinks you’re brave.
Nice to see all the name calling. Don’t agree with someone? Start throwing out the names. We all know, if a person doesn’t agree with YOU they are simply stupid. Kinda makes you a bully, doesn’t it? You’ve got to understand, watching some of you get so worked up just adds to the enjoyment of it all.
Now, crawl back under the bed so you don’t die.
Dozens; many without face masks and not practicing social distancing and dragging their kids into the mix. Bunch of moronic asshats. C’mon karma do your thing.
Yes, Karma. Let Alice and her family learn the sting of poverty and hunger. Oh wait, what? You were expecting a different result? Then maybe you shouldn’t let your life be ruled by your sour black heart.
We’ve got an interesting group of people here… these are your neighbors folks. These are great people right?
The fear and sheep on here is embarrassing! However, multiple states are already open, dine-in sitting allowed in Ventura county today, Indian casinos opened today and everyday you can tell where this is going. Scream and cry until the cows come home, but we’re moving on and that’s very obvious.
This is the ONLY county in all of Southern California that requires masks, so dont act like it’s the norm everywhere, because it’s clearly not.
We all have a choice in this country and that’s the best thing about this country, our freedom of choice.
The idiot’s, the moron’s….Alice ridiculously calling for karma. Laughable and your intelligence shows or should I say your lack there of? Deadly pandemic, the one with a 5% death rate? The one where 98% of all active cases in the WORLD are mild symptoms or asymptomatic??
If that’s karma?, I’ll take those odds ANYDAY of the week.
Stay home and type on here all you want or go out and enjoy this beautiful free country, it’s your choice. Don’t egg or shame your fellow American for their choice, it’s called independent thinking, please don’t think yours is superior, just follow the facts and numbers. Make your own decisions and choices.
This is America.
You maskless idiots are an embarrassment for sure brainwashed by your conspiracy theories, our simple minded America
Spoken like a truly selfish POS. would it kill you to wear a mask? You people are absolutely disgusting. The illness is lethal to many,many people, and you’re saying you flat out don’t care. Just f’ing pathetic. You’re so hung up on being American. It’s idiots like you that make being American synonymous with ignorant and selfish throughout the world. Can’t wait until someone you know gets sick because of your stupidity. Maybe you’ll pull your head out of your ass then
I also agree
I couldn’t of said it any better totally agree with you thanks
Thank you Richard, glad to see some common sense. Our freedom is at stake. My family fought to keep our freedom and there is a lot of misinformation out there. I wish people wouldn’t be so afraid, research Fauci, Gates, CDC and the WHO. This is a test and America is showing who is gullible. Freedom of choice.
Looks like Karen is at it again… Just yesterday alone orange country had triple the cases as it did the day before…why
Because 2 and 3 weeks ago all the Karen’s got together all mask less to whine and complain at the beach…
Darwinism will hit Santa Clarita in t minus 14 days
They sabotage their message by refusing to wear face masks. This does not show strength or patriotism. It shows contempt for their neighbors by exposing them to potential infection, as many people with active COVID infection are asymptomatic. A patient at Henry Mayo ICU in a week or two may be the work of one of these fine Americans.
The percentages say otherwise, but you can choice to ignore the numbers and facts if you like. It’s your choice.
“idiots” and “morons” are just plural, not apostrophe needed
Wear your mask! Fallow social distancing and stop crying and acting like small children! This is ridiculous!
And enough with the scared this scared that! It’s just common sense to keep us our loved ones our community and kids safe!
Jesus C. Wins The Comment Section!
I will commend and chastise these protesters at the same time. They are exercising their rights to protest because they are living the American Dream here in America. That is the same America that I, and so many other millions of military veterans wore a military uniform for… Freedom to exercise our rights – certainly, something that MANY countries around the world DO NOT HAVE. I’m very pleased to see that an elderly man was wearing a red hat “Keep America Great” … Another true, proud American. However, these same people that I’m praising, for exercising their rights, are failing miserably when it comes to respecting other people’s health. By standing so close to each other WITHOUT a mask on, is absolutely selfish. Selfish in the sense that they appear to not be concerned that there are other people here in Santa Clarita who want to remain VIRUS FREE. By not wearing a mask, and being so close to each other, the chances of those same people contracting this virus are high and it’s very risky. Why gamble with your life and risk spreading it to others ??? Life is too short as it is. Please be more considerate and think of others besides just yourselves. Kudos for your guts to “fight for what you feel is right,” but please be more altruistic and think about others MORE than you think of JUST YOURSELVES…
No one ever responds to the fact that 98% of all active CONFIRMED cases in the world RIGHT NOW are mild symptoms or asymptomatic??
Does that sound deadly to you? Seriously?
That’s a fact and people just ignore it. They must like to live in fear of something that has a 4% death rate in California. Wake up and look at the facts.
I had 3 people die from Covid-19, and not in the same household, not in the same friendship line. When it hits home like it did mine. then maybe you’ll all be a little fearful. think about all those families affected by this monster, and they couldn’t touch their loved ones to say good-bye, like my friend that had to look through his mother’s window, as she took her last breath and then not able to bury her.
I’m sorry for the rant and maybe the wrong grammar, punctuation etc..But really everyone, this is effect everyone in a different ways , have compassion, have patience !!!!! And to all those on the curb waving flags asking people to honk, WHY????
Sorry for all you’ve gone through.
Worst thing to come from this pandemic…. The delay release on black widow.
People need to look at Texas, and the rest of the world. What happened when they opened early… the spike returned. How about the church that insisted on opening, then the pastor became infected, died and infected the congregation. Open responsibly, wear masks in public, keep social distancing. It’s just a shame that America is pitied by the rest of the world due to our President’s incompetence and unwillingness to accept responsibility for anything…
If I can be honest, here, I have personally felt disillusioned and saddened by the hate that has surfaced in our valley in the past few years since Trump’s election and even more so in the past few months. I have lived here for 35 years and always felt that people were generally kind and considerate of others. How is it unAmerican to want to keep people from getting sick?
I’m sad trump brings out the crazies they ruin the entire Republican name. I voted for him because as a small business owner and proud American I like his ideas for America and I like that he stands up to the crazy ideas the tax loving Democrats come up with. With that said open everything up with a strict mask policy in place for employees and people in public places with people around.