SANTA CLARA, Calif.—A Northern California city declared itself a constitutional republic in November, after disagreeing with COVID-19 mandates from the state government. The declaration symbolically affirms citizens’ inalienable rights as the state extends emergency health orders and issues a new round of state-wide mask mandates.
Scott Thomson, vice mayor of Oroville, has been the main proponent of the move. He said California’s COVID-19 mandates infringe on people’s rights.
