“Let them play,” a social media phenomenon, has inspired coaches, parents and athletes to rally for high school sports. On Jan. 15, 103 communities from Redding to San Diego collaborated in unity with signs, speeches, and peaceful protests, to gain attention for allowing kids to return to playing sports.
The “Let them play” organization has grown so large, they have split into two groups, Northern and Southern Sections.
Colusa County, along with 11 other counties, Siskiyou, Modoc, Shasta, Lassen, Tehama, Plumas, Glenn, Butte, Sutter, Yuba and Sierra, are pulling together with another set of rallies.
“These rallies are a movement sweeping across California, and I am so proud to be a part of them,” said Cheri Azevedo, the selected contact for Colusa County. “It’s time to speak up and show up for these kids.”
The next rally for the Northern Section is scheduled for Jan. 29 in Chico, at the intersection of East Ave and Cohasset, beginning at 4 PM.
Masks are mandatory and social distancing is suggested, Azevedo said.
The scheduled rally will be held rain or shine.
“I am attending this second rally to hopefully make our voices heard that we need sports back,” said Shane Danley, a junior at Maxwell High School. “We are missing out on important high school memories that we will never get back. Hopefully, the governor will see how much this means to us.”
On Monday, Gov. Gavin Newsom lifted stay-at-home order throughout the state, an indication that sports could be resuming soon.
While the the California Interscholastic Federation has not yet given the green light for athletes to return to the play, the CIF last week updated a bylaw that now forbids student-athletes from participating in both high school sports and club sports for health reasons related to the coronavirus pandemic. ™£
