On Monday, a small group of students at the University of Nevada, Reno were seen walking out of classes in a protest march, demanding that the college reimplement its mask mandate.
As reported by Fox News, video of the protest was captured by reporter Ben Margiott, with local outlet KRNV. In the video, the gathering of several dozen students marched through campus chanting “reinstate mask mandate.” Marriott reported that a petition had been circulating online to reinstate the mandate, but had only garnered roughly 1,500 signatures.
After the small protest, the university released a statement saying that “as an institution of higher learning, it is a responsibility within our educational mission to provide an environment where perspectives and experiences are shared safely, with respect and with a thorough understanding of points of view which sometimes may differ.”
“Today’s demonstration was an example where there was an exchange of ideas and constructive, peaceful action regarding public issues,” the statement continued. The university, however, showed no signs of reversing its decision on the mandate.
The small gathering of protesters was widely mocked on social media, with many pointing out that the students were still allowed to wear masks if they so choose, while others noted the bizarre nature of students demanding that institutions impose even more restrictions on their personal freedoms.
“COVID-19 has caused mental illness,” said Congressman Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) on Twitter. Commentator Dave Rubin similarly described the display as an example of “a mental disorder.”
“Is anyone stopping them from wearing masks?” Christina Pushaw, press secretary for Governor Ron DeSantis (R-Fla.), rhetorically asked.
Nevada is one of nearly a dozen states across the country that suddenly announced an end to its mask mandates last week, allowing both its universal indoor mask mandate and indoor school mask mandate to expire on Thursday. The sudden shift in many states, including California and New York, indicates that such mandates are now so widely unpopular that even states run by Democrats have no choice but to abandon them and restore individual liberties to residents.