Oroville, CA Declares Itself Constitutional Republic City

The city of Oroville, California declared itself a Constitutional Republic City. Earlier this month, the city made this declaration in order to protect its citizens from state and federal overreach. 

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Oroville Declares Itself a Constitutional Republic City

The city, which is about 70 miles north of Sacramento, said that they are making a stand against the constant overreach from state and federal governments.

In a 6-1 vote, the Oroville City Council approved a resolution declaring the city a Constitutional Republic City. 

Vice Mayor Scott Thomson originally requested the measure. “What we are doing is protecting our citizens’ rights as much as we can on the local level.

In a way, we are acting as a sanctuary city for our citizens and their rights and freedoms protected by the US and state constitutions,” Thomson said. 

Thomson Said Governor Gavin Newsom Pioneered Declaration of Sanctuary City

Thomson pointed to a 2007 move by then-mayor of San Francisco and now California Governor. He said that Governor Gavin Newsom modeled this type of declaration during the time he declared San Francisco a sanctuary city.

He did so because he believed that the federal government was overreaching into SF residents. In addition, California itself declared “sanctuary state” status in 2017.

Doing so prohibited local and state agencies from cooperating with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). This prevented federal agencies from pursuing immigrants accused of misdemeanors.

“It’s just basically drawing the line. It’s not necessarily against one specific mandate,” Thomson added. He said that Oroville residents are getting fed up over a “barrage of mandates.”

What Does a Constitutional Republic City Mean?

The resolution means that Oroville won’t enforce executive orders issued by the state of California or by the United States federal government.

Specifically, the city won’t implement measures that are clearly overreaching or violating constitutionally protected rights.

A recent trigger for Oroville to make the decision stemmed from pandemic-related measures. Both President Joe Biden and Governor Newsom required vaccine and mask mandates. In particular, Newsom announced last month a school vaccine mandate. 

State and Federal Mandates Overreaching into Oroville’s Residents’ Rights

Following the FDA’s approval of vaccines for young adults, the state will require Grades 7-12 students to vaccinate before reporting to school.

Newsom reasoned that the state already requires vaccines from other viruses such as mumps and measles. Therefore, the state can also mandate another vaccine for COVID-19.  Meanwhile 

Meanwhile, Biden required companies with 100 or more workers to complete their vaccinations by January 4. Otherwise, unvaccinated workers will need to undergo weekly testing at their own expense. 

Can Oroville Survive Without State and Federal Funding?

Meanwhile, one Oroville council member worried if the city can afford to stay a Constitutional Republic city. Councilor Janet Goodson noted that the city received around $8.4 million in COVID-19 relief funding over the last two years.

What happens if the state or federal government withholds all funding due to their mandate refusals? ‘Will Oroville be able to stand alone and sustain itself?” Goodson asked.  

However, city attorney Scott Huber brushed off concerns. He said that city officials can change the Constitutional Republic City declaration at any time. This means that it does not threaten funding freezes.

“I am quite certain that this would not result in any loss of funding for the city. In the event that it could in the future, you could revise this and do what you will but this is not going to put into jeopardy any state or federal funding,” Huber said. 

Watch the KPIX CBS SF Bay Area video reporting that Oroville, California declares itself a ‘Constitutional Republic City’:

Do you agree with Oroville’s declaration that it’s not a Constitutional Republic city? Can Oroville successfully resist federal and state mandates under this declaration?

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