Political protests have been common at the Capitol over the past couple years./Arizona Youth Climate Strike protesters in front of the Arizona State Capitol in Phoenix, Arizona on Friday, Sept. 20, 2019/ Photo by Zach Van Arsdale /The State Press
By BrieAnna J. Frank | Arizona Republic
Several dozen people gathered at the Arizona Capitol on Wednesday to protest some employers mandating COVID-19 vaccinations and to express fear that the government will follow suit, despite state leaders saying repeatedly they would not.
There were signs that read “Freedom over fear” and “My body, my choice,” along with several American and “Don’t tread on me” flags. A woman leading a prayer at the complex just after 11:30 a.m. referenced Luke 10:19 as she said the Capitol was “filled with scorpions and serpents.”
“We put all of their legalities and evildoings under the blood of Jesus, under the knowledge of the cross,” she said. “We proclaim victory in Jesus’ mighty name.”
Gov. Doug Ducey on Tuesday said that Arizona does not and will not allow schools to require vaccinations or discriminate against students based on vaccination status.
Ducey’s statement came in response to updated guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which now recommends wearing masks indoors in high-transmission areas regardless of vaccination status.
