Alaska State Representative Kurka leaves house chamber after removing mask

FAIRBANKS, Alaska (KTVF) - Mask mandates and safety protocols came under fire in the Alaska Legislature on Monday, March 15th.

After making a speech condemning COVID-19 policies at the Capitol, Representative Christopher Kurka removed his mask and eventually left the house floor.

The incident occurred during the morning’s House Floor Session.

In his speech, Kurka questioned what he calls contradictory scientific evidence coming from the Centers for Disease Control.

He went on to say that COVID-19 is here to stay, no matter the efforts taken against it.

“I can’t escape the ineluctable conclusion that much of the activity masquerading under the guise of safety in this building is little more than a thinly veiled power play,” he said.

According to Kurka, “It is simply unreasonable and lacking in compassion and common sense to foist these measures that are for many members a health risk to them. My body, my choice, right?”

After Kurka’s speech, Representatives Chris Tuck from Anchorage and Sara Hannan from Juneau provided a response.

Hannan talked about the rules of debate and decorum in Mason’s Manual of Legislative Procedure. “We have a legislative council that is directed to institute policies that we conduct business for in this building, and there would be appropriate channels to bring topics there; but to bring them before this body and impugn the motives of those who crafted the policies or asked for the policies seems to be beneath our dignity and in violation of Mason’s.”

Copyright 2021 KTVF. All rights reserved.