Joining small, but widespread, protests around the country for “medical freedom”, about 30 people gathered outside Corbin City Hall on Saturday evening.
The rallying cry was for freedom from forced vaccination. Most people were protesting some employers demands that employees be vaccinated against COVID-19 in order to keep their jobs. “As our freedom is being infringed upon, I feel it's important to take a stand. Numerous men and women have died for our right to say 'no'. And if we don't stand, all of their lives have been taken in vain,” said Rhonda Faulkner to the crowd. Faulkner, one of the event’s organizers and unvaccinated nurse, emphasized that people should have the right to decide if they want to be vaccinated and that they shouldn’t be terminated for choosing not to get a shot.
Events have been held around the country over the past week, including Salem, Oregon, Indianapolis, and Rochester, Minnesota, to protest what attendees feel is government and employer intrusion into their personal and medical lives.
Parts of Corbin are in Knox County which led the state in infections per 100,000 people, according to the Governor’s Monday COVID-19 briefing.
“A vaccine should not determine my worth as a nurse,” Faulkner said.
The event was peaceful, and attendees cheered each other on and speakers talked about their concerns about government and employer mandates.