Kerr County court approves ‘Hands Off’ protest on courthouse grounds after split vote and further review

Kerr County Commissioners Court voted to allow the Hands Off Kerr County Democrats organization to use the courthouse grounds on Saturday, April 19, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., after an initial split vote was taken under advisement and the court revisited the item later in the meeting.

The group’s organizers, Carol Calkins (citizen) and Kathy Turner (identified as a resident of Precinct 4), told the court they intended a “peaceful” demonstration using sidewalks and the courthouse grounds and that they would conduct pre-event safety briefings and “buddy up” stewards to keep participants orderly. “We meant no disrespect. The operative word is peaceful,” Calkins said during the request for permission.

Why it mattered: Commissioners spent more than an hour on the request because of complaints that a prior gathering connected to the same organizers on April 6 disrupted a reserved car show and required sheriff’s deputies to respond. Several commissioners said the April 6 turnout had imposed an operational burden on law enforcement and had interfered with the car show that had obtained prior permission. The court said it wanted assurance that any future demonstration would follow county procedures and avoid disrupting other events.

What the court decided: The county judge moved to approve the group’s application; the first vote resulted in a tie (two in favor, two opposed, one abstention) and the court agreed to take the matter under advisement and consult the county attorney. After executive-session discussion and a subsequent motion to revisit the item, the court approved the request by a unanimous vote. The approved time and date are as requested: April 19, 2025, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.

What organizers and commissioners said: - Kathy Turner told the court the group would stay on sidewalks and would not enter roadways, and said the national campaign’s slogan — “Hands Off” — meant different things to different participants (for some, “Hands off my VA,” “Hands off Medicare,” or “Hands off Social Security”). - The county judge said he respected First Amendment rights but warned that repeat events that disrupt approved activities could lead to future denials: “I respect your right under the First Amendment to assemble and protest,” he said during the first round of votes, while adding that the court expected applicants to follow the process. - Organizers pledged to provide contact information and to work with county staff to comply with the court’s permitting and safety requirements.

Process and next steps: The court advised the organizers to check in with county staff and to fill out the county’s event forms so deputies and maintenance needs can be arranged. The court’s final action followed executive-session consultation with the county attorney and a vote to revisit the agenda item; after that, the court’s vote to approve the grounds use was recorded as unanimous.

Clarifying details: The application covered the courthouse grounds and sidewalks, with the requested date and hours (April 19, 2025; 10 a.m.–2 p.m.). Some commissioners and members of the public said the group’s April 6 presence had backed up traffic and interfered with a car show that had secured permission for the same grounds; the organizers said they had not intended disrespect and pledged better coordination this time.

Ending: The county clerk will follow up with the organizers to finalize permit paperwork, law-enforcement staffing needs and any maintenance or restroom access arrangements prior to the event.