Says, 'will continue to wholeheartedly  defend state laws to protect Arkansans of all ages'

LITTLE ROCK – Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge released a statement following her decision to appeal Judge Tim Fox’s decision blocking Act 1002, the state law barring public entities from mandating face masks.

“I will appeal the decision of Judge Fox which blocked Act 1002 from going into effect,” said Attorney General Leslie Rutledge. “For nearly seven years, I have always exercised my constitutional duty to represent the State of Arkansas and will continue to wholeheartedly defend state laws to protect Arkansans of all ages.”

Last Friday, Pulaski County Circuit Court Judge Tim Fox temporarily blocked Act 1002. That Act passed by the General Assembly and signed by Governor Hutchinson bars local governments from mandating face masks.