Rep. Kelly Hastings submitted a letter to Gov. Roy Cooper asking for more fairness under his orders and to allow the Republican National Convention to proceed. | Facebook
Rep. Kelly Hastings submitted a letter to Gov. Roy Cooper asking for more fairness under his orders and to allow the Republican National Convention to proceed. | Facebook
Before the Republican National Committee moved the main parts of its convention from Charlotte to Jacksonville, Flordia, Rep. Kelly Hastings (R-Cleveland) requested that Gov. Roy Cooper allow the nomination ceremony to happen in North Carolina without "excessive red tape."
Hastings published his letter to the Democratic governor to Facebook on June 5, just days before the Republican National Committee announced it would move the main parts to Jacksonville but conduct some official business at the Charlotte location.
"We understand that it could be too late for the convention to be held here, but it would provide a great opportunity to boost our economy and allow people to associate," Hastings wrote. "The convention issue is not a partisan issue; it is an issue that involves the ability for many people to work and earn money during the time of the convention without unfair red tape."
Republican leaders were negotiating with Cooper about his scaled-down requests amid COVID-19 to allow the party's National Convention to take place in Charlotte. Cooper and the Republican Party were not able to reach a new deal.
Hasting also wrote to the governor to remind him that his executive orders result in many people "being treated unfairly by your orders and the orders of some local governments."
The Republican representative pointed to how some businesses are allowed to reopen with certain restrictions while others remain shuttered waiting for their turn in the phased reopening.
Hastings also said the governor should provide full support to law enforcement and National Guard members "as they try to protect people and property from those who are choosing to destroy property and harm innocent citizens. Many of the actions involve anarchy and violence; not peaceful protesting."
North Carolina like other states has been dealing with protests over the death of a black man by a white Minneapolis police officer, which was captured on video. George Floyd was detained by now-former police officer Derek Chauvin, who is shown with his knee on Floyd's neck for nearly nine minutes — which likely resulted in his death. Chauvin has since been charged with murder. The three other officers involved were also charged.
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