More than 100 choir members could be seen in a church where Vice President Pence attended a rally in Texas singing without masks on Sunday, just days after the state governor announced that he would re-implement certain restrictions in the state after an increase in coronavirus cases.
In the footage from the event, which CNN reports took place at First Baptist Church in Dallas, Pence was seen wearing a mask, applauding along with other members of the audience for the choir’s performance. According to the news network, the choir performed several times during the event without the masks, which they reportedly would wear when they took their seats.
The event, dubbed “Celebrate Freedom Rally,” reportedly drew more than 2,000 people to the church, which has a capacity of about 3,000, on Sunday. Approximately half of the attendees were reportedly seen wearing masks, which CNN reported had been encouraged.
A choir, with more than 100 singers, performs without masks at an event attended by the vice president. Mike Pence
Michael (Mike) Richard PenceUS hits 2.5 million coronavirus cases as states hit one-day highs Pence cancels Florida campaign bus ride as state continues to see increase in coronavirus cases, who wears a mask. pic.twitter.com/8aZYk9CB86
– The Hill (@thehill) June 28, 2020
While Pence is seen in pictures wearing a mask during the choir performance, he was reportedly seen removing his mask when he stood up for comment.
The Hill has contacted the White House for comment.
During his remarks, Pence praised the “brave and compassionate leadership” of Texas Governor Greg Abbott (R).
“Working with your governor, we will prioritize the health of the people of the Lone Star state, and every day, we will continue to claim or release and our way of life, since every day we are one day closer to the day that we put this past pandemic and when we do, with this governor and this president, we will make Texas and the United States bigger and better than ever, ”he said.
The event comes two days after Abbott announced that the state would close bars and certain outdoor recreation businesses in an effort to mitigate the spread of the new coronavirus after the state reported an outbreak in cases after lifting the restrictions. .
According to the latest state health data, more than 148,720 cases of COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus, have been reported so far in Texas, as well as more than 2,300 deaths and more than 79,000 estimated recoveries.
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