To cruise or not to cruise

First Amendment or the safety of the community?  When the residents of Columbus, Kansas, planned a cruise night to honor High School seniors amid the COVID-19 crisis they were met with an obstacle.

City administration issued an order stating, “the activities of cruise nights, car cruises and/or car parades will not be allowed in the City of Columbus.”  They also stated that the Columbus City Police will enforce non-compliant activities.

Litigation director and general counsel for Kansas Justice Institute Samuel G. MacRoberts, sent a letter to the city in protest. In the letter MacRoberts stated The City of Columbus had no business preventing families from driving down Main Street on a cruise night, so long as social distancing was observed.

The City of Columbus City Council met in a special session and decided to allow the Cruise Night. But, they also stated that the event is not encouraged.