A lawsuit challenging Shreveport Mayor Adrian Perkins’ mandatory mask order is expected to be filed today, according to Congressman Mike Johnson. Johnson took to Facebook Thursday to address the situation.
“Although it is a good idea to encourage everyone to wear a mask, I do NOT believe the mayor has the legal authority to FORCE private citizens to do so,” Johnson posted.
“Nothing in the Shreveport City Charter or the state statute cited in the Perkins Executive Order authorizes the mayor to unilaterally enforce a mask mandate, or to close down a business or church, or cut off its water service, if they do not fully comply.”
Johnson added that he believes the plaintiffs in the expected lawsuit should easily prevail.
“The maintenance of public health is critically important–but so is the defense of the CONSTITUTION,” he posted.
The mask order went into effect Wednesday for all of Shreveport. In addition, the Caddo Parish Commission passed a mask order for the unincorporated areas of the parish.
On the east side of the river, Bossier City Mayor Lo Walker said in his weekly COVID-19 response video, that while mask wearing is a good idea, he would not issue a mandatory order.