Guthrie City Council To Meet As Trial On Lawsuit Against City Begins

Guthrie's city council will meet to consider changing the ordinance requiring residents to shelter in place and wear face masks, Monday. 

This comes as the city is being sued for that ordinance.

The lawsuit names people like Guthrie's Mayor and Police chief, and claims the shelter in place ordinance violates not only Oklahoma law but also the constitution.

Oklahoma City Attorney Frank Urbanic filed the federal lawsuit on behalf of 10 people, Guthrie residents and business owners.

The attorney told the Guthrie News Page he reached out to the city before he filed the lawsuit last week. Urbanic claims the city's attorney asked them to wait because the council could make a change to the ordinance Monday.

Urbanic didn't think that answer was good enough and filed the suit anyway.

"My clients fundamental rights are being violated daily and hourly basis," said Urbanic. 

He also told News 9 this was all in the effort of liberty. 

"It is a peaceful way of working through the system to address something we have an issue with," said Urbanic.

The hearing will be held over the phone at 11 a.m. Just an hour before the Guthrie city council will hold a special meeting to discuss the ordinance in question.

Right now it's in effect through May 5th.