GSU employees, city leaders join statewide protest for mask mandates on college campuses

SAVANNAH, Ga (WTGS) — Georgia Southern University, along with 17 other Georgia colleges, joined a weeklong series of protests this week. A protest that is calling on the University System of Georgia and the Board of Regents, demanding a mask mandate on college campuses.

“Schools all around the state, apart of the university system of Georgia, have at the same time, every day this week, protested against the complete lack of even the most minimal COVID policies. That the Board of Regents and the University of Georgia system refuses to enact," said Dr. Ned Rinalducci, GSU associate professor.

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Alderwoman Linda Wilder-Bryan was in attendance, showing her support. She said that in her district, children under 12, who aren't able to get vaccinated, are getting sick, going home and spreading it to those with weaker immune systems.

"It’s affecting young people. Just humor me. How many of you out there lost somebody to COVID? Or knew somebody or was a relative. So if you look at these numbers, you knew that this thing is real," said Wilder-Bryan.

Derek Mallow, Georgia State Representative and Aaron "Adot" Whitely, Chatham County District Six Commissioner were also in attendance and stood in solidarity with employees on this matter.

“Enough with the jokes, enough with the games, enough with the politics. let’s stick to the facts. Let's stick to the data. Like we know to do. The CDC is not some fly-by-night organization. We trusted them with smallpox's, we trusted their information with Tuberculosis, we trusted their information with polio and so forth. Why don’t we do the same now. The CDC says, mask work,“ said Whitely.

Rinalducci said that in a perfect world, they would like to see both a mask mandate and vaccine policy requirement but for now they’re just asking for that mask policy. He said that classrooms are packed with students, and at the very least, a mask mandate should be implemented.