Southern Illinois boat fiberglass and gel coat repair shop owner (a non-smoker) defies state's ban on smoking at all business establishments.
The Southern.com reports:
A call from authorities hasn't halted one West Frankfort man's plans to host a peaceful protest against the state's recently implemented Smoke-Free laws.
John Hemminghaus has been passing out flyers and making phone calls to invite as many people as he can reach to a March 1 event he is calling a "Smoke In."
"This country was founded on civil disobedience," Hemminghaus said in a previous interview. "It has gotten to where, now, people are afraid to get into trouble. It kind of makes me mad that everybody has turned into cowards."
Monday afternoon, Hemminghaus said he was recently contacted by Williamson County State's Attorney Chuck Garnati in regards to his plans.
"Chuck said I would be taken into custody and get a $2,500 fine," he said. "Nobody I know can find where anybody in Illinois has been arrested yet."
Hemminghaus owns Wounded Rig Inc. - a boat fiberglass and gel coat repair shop - located on Illinois 37, just south of West Frankfort, although he falls under the jurisdiction of the Williamson County Sheriff's Department.
He said Garnati told him that law enforcement would be present at his event if he couldn't be talked out of hosting the rally.
(Thanks to the Agitator)
The Southern.com reports:
A call from authorities hasn't halted one West Frankfort man's plans to host a peaceful protest against the state's recently implemented Smoke-Free laws.
John Hemminghaus has been passing out flyers and making phone calls to invite as many people as he can reach to a March 1 event he is calling a "Smoke In."
"This country was founded on civil disobedience," Hemminghaus said in a previous interview. "It has gotten to where, now, people are afraid to get into trouble. It kind of makes me mad that everybody has turned into cowards."
Monday afternoon, Hemminghaus said he was recently contacted by Williamson County State's Attorney Chuck Garnati in regards to his plans.
"Chuck said I would be taken into custody and get a $2,500 fine," he said. "Nobody I know can find where anybody in Illinois has been arrested yet."
Hemminghaus owns Wounded Rig Inc. - a boat fiberglass and gel coat repair shop - located on Illinois 37, just south of West Frankfort, although he falls under the jurisdiction of the Williamson County Sheriff's Department.
He said Garnati told him that law enforcement would be present at his event if he couldn't be talked out of hosting the rally.
(Thanks to the Agitator)
This is disgusting. I live in Los Angeles county where 3 murders happen everyday. I can't believe that there are law enforcement agencies, that are funded by the citizens, that are willing to spend their time enforcing a ridiculous law at a place where nobody is violated anyone else's rights. Law enforcement is always fastest at investigating those who are challenging them just for the sake of challenging them. This guy is right: This country was founded on civil disobedience and we as citizens need to break the laws that we don't believe in.