June 20, 2020
By: Staff Report
TAMPA Fla. – With more protests planned this weekend, technology is coming into play for protesters on the streets, courtesy of the Hillsborough County Democrats.
Hyde Park will be the location for the protest scheduled Saturday at 3 PM. If you are out and about and happen to see QR codes pinned to people’s backs, this is why.
The Hillsborough County Democrats (@HCFLDems) said on Twitter, “Print this page and pin it to the back of your shirt with safety pins, or tape it on a sign. Links directly to official registration websites in Florida and Hillsborough County. YOUR VOTE IS YOUR VOICE. #tampaprotests #VoteblueFL”
The downloadable flyer says, “Heading to a protest? Help protesters by pinning this QR code to the back of your shirt. It’s a direct link to register to vote, or sign up to vote by mail.”
Print this page and pin it to the back of your shirt with safety pins, or tape it on a sign. Links directly to official registration websites in Florida and Hillsborough County.
— Hillsborough County Democrats (@HCFLDems) June 18, 2020
YOUR VOTE IS YOUR VOICE. #tampaprotests #VoteblueFL
Follow this link: https://t.co/Y6hnnLxsu0 pic.twitter.com/fRR7L1zsrJ
Recently, questions have been asked of the Florida Department of Health, if the rise in COVID-19 cases, particularly in Hillsborough, have anything to do with the protests.
On Monday, during the Emergency Planning Group Meeting, Plant City Mayor Rick Lott asked Dr. Holt, if they are seeing an increase of COVID-19 cases due to protest in the Tampa area.
Dr. Holt said, “At this time we have not. We do ask generally, if people been around large groups of people, for whatever reason, are not specifically asking about the gatherings regarding our protesting.
This week, Tampa Mayor Jane Castor issued a mandatory ordinance for the use of masks in Tampa. Castor said, “This is an emergency now. The community is looking for leadership and that is what they need right now.
“I’m going to put a mandatory mask ordinance for the city of Tampa right now to protect citizens,” said Mayor Castor during the Thursday EPG meeting.
This order will apply to everyone and anyone only in an indoor public setting where social distancing is not possible. Violators will be subject to civil citations and went into effect at 5 PM Friday,.