Congressman Mike Johnson said a lawsuit will be filed on Friday against the City of Shreveport over its recent mask mandate.
The congressman said in a post on Facebook Thursday that, while he thinks it’s a good idea to encourage people to wear a mask, he doesn't believe the city has the authority to force people to do so.
He added that "the plaintiffs should easily prevail."
Johnson referenced the city's charter and the state statute cited in Mayor Adrian Perkins' executive order and said neither authorizes the mayor to "unilaterally" enforce a mask mandate.
Perkins responded on Twitter later Thursday, saying, "My only focus is on saving lives and preventing another shutdown. As mayor, I don't have the luxury to sit in Washington, D.C. and play political games @RepMikeJohnson."
My only focus is on saving lives and preventing another shutdown. As mayor, I don't have the luxury to sit in Washington D.C. and play political games @RepMikeJohnson
— Shreveport Mayor Adrian Perkins (@ShreveportMayor) July 10, 2020
Wednesday, Shreveport became the latest area to issue a mask mandate, following the city of New Orleans, Jefferson Parish, and East Baton Rouge Parish. Other leaders, including in Lafayette Parish, have said several times that they have no plans to implement mandates. A petition calling on LCG to issue a mask mandate now has more than 3,300 signatures.
Gov. John Bel Edwards reiterated in a press conference Wednesday that he is not contemplating a statewide mandate.
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