Sunflower State News

Convention of States (COS) has organized a nationwide response to government overreach during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a press release late last month.

The new initiative, Open the States, encourages Americans to take on an “attitude of defiance, while practicing common sense compliance." It developed due to national outrage that certain governors have unjustly caused massive layoffs and economic strife with their coronavirus prevention efforts.

David Copeland, director of Kansas COS, told Sunflower State News that he has heard anecdotes of layoffs and business closings.

He said Gov. Kelly's criminal penalties for violating the bans on gatherings and congregation in churches are an affront to the U.S. and Kansas Constitutions.

"Our constitution is always relevant and cannot be dismissed because of a health hazard," Copeland said.

While COS said the Open the States initiative does not condone violating the Center for Disease Control's recommendations for social distancing, the movement's website encourages petitioning, contacting local representatives and participating in localized forums.

Copeland said he has participated minimally except for a Topeka rally, but that COS is working to educate Kansans on a national convention through its volunteer grassroots network.

The project would rally the nation to engage Article V of the U.S. Constitution, which Copeland said would allow COS "to propose amendments that would reduce the influence and power of the federal government and allow the states, local governments and families to exercise greater self-governance."

"We are asking Kansans to petition their legislators to pass appropriate legislation to have Kansas be one of 34 states required to apply to have an amendment convention," Copeland said.

Forums on opening the states that are local to Kansas can be viewed on the Open the States website.