Lawmaker joins anti-mask rally at state Capitol | Republican-American

HARTFORD – State Sen. Rob Sampson, R-Wolcott, stood outside the state Capitol Wednesday afternoon while Gov. Ned Lamont addressed state lawmakers on opening day of the legislative session.

The senator joined hundreds of Connecticut parents who are continuing to fight for their right to decide whether their children wear masks at school despite Lamont recommending mask decisions should be left to local control going forward.

Sampson and the state Senate will determine on Monday whether the mandate is extended through Feb. 28. Local and regional boards of education will then have deciding power. Lamont’s 11 executive orders, which the House will be addressing today, are set to expire Feb. 15.

Instead of being inside with the rest of the General Assembly, Sampson said he felt it was more important to be outside with the people he represents. Sampson’s 16th district covers Wolcott, Prospect, Cheshire, Southington and parts of Waterbury.

“We are going to get out of this,” he said. “This mask mandate will end. We may not get everything we want this week, but it’s going to end. Most importantly, they should never forget who is responsible for doing this to them.”

Rob Pierpoint, whose grandchild attends preschool in Massachusetts, drove from his Wolcott home for Wednesday’s protest held by Connecticut Liberty and Unmask Our Kids Connecticut, advocacy groups fighting for parental masking rights.

“Children are the least affected demographic as far as COVID goes,” he said. “It’s wrong to make them wear masks. I understand health but I have yet to see any signs that masks do any good.”