Protesters, some armed, enter Michigan Capitol as House blocks extension of coronavirus emergency measures
Throngs of protesters, several of them armed, marched Thursday inside the Michigan Capitol as the House voted to block the state’s coronavirus emergency measures and authorized a lawsuit challenging Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s actions to fight the pandemic.
The governor wanted lawmakers to extend her emergency declaration by 28 days. It was to expire at midnight Thursday. The Republican-led House voted 59-41, along party lines.
At the Michigan capitol building today in Lansing. Photos by Jeff Kowalsky (AFP via Getty) pic.twitter.com/Zf1QdypnNr
— Dan Zak (@MrDanZak) April 30, 2020
Numerous protesters, some not wearing masks, got into the faces of masked state police officers situated inside the building and shouted to be allowed into the chambers, which are closed to visitors because of health precautions.
Armed white men are showing up again today at the Michigan statehouse to silence the opposition and threaten the lives of lawmakers. #mileg pic.twitter.com/OvE47L02v1 https://t.co/aJdlYTW2nA
— Shannon Watts (@shannonrwatts) April 30, 2020
“Vote no!” they shouted, while some chanted, “Let us in!” and “This is the people’s house, you cannot lock us out.” Others chanted, “Lock her up,” in reference to the governor.
Protest moves inside Michigan Capitol. Crowd attempts to get onto Hoise floor. Lots of Michigan State Police and House sergeants at arms blocking door. pic.twitter.com/4FNQpimP4W
— Rod Meloni (@RodMeloni) April 30, 2020
Those in the rally said Whitmer’s stay-at-home order violated constitutional rights and urged people to open their businesses Friday.
A state police spokesman told NBC News that it is legal to carry firearms as long as it is done with lawful intent and the weapon is visible, but protest signs are forbidden.
Organizers of today's protest order at the Michigan Capitol asked people not to bring Trump signs so it wouldn't look like a political rally. Not everyone got the message pic.twitter.com/TNqFvYMlDv
— Jonathan Oosting (@jonathanoosting) April 30, 2020
“These folks are a small minority of people who are vocally opposed the governor’s stay at home executive order,” Rosie Jones, a spokesperson for Senate Minority Leader Jim Ananich, told TPM. “Although, their message is muddled with inflammatory language like ‘tyrants get your rope’ and images of swastikas and confederate flags.”
The protest, dubbed the “American Patriot Rally,” was organized by Michigan United for Liberty to call for the reopening of businesses, NBC News reported.
Directly above me, men with rifles yelling at us. Some of my colleagues who own bullet proof vests are wearing them. I have never appreciated our Sergeants-at-Arms more than today. #mileg pic.twitter.com/voOZpPYWOs
— Senator Dayna Polehanki (@SenPolehanki) April 30, 2020
In Michigan, more than 3,600 people have died from covid-19 and more than 40,000 people have contracted coronavirus.
House Speaker Lee Chatfield, a Levering Republican, told the Associated Press that the death toll is “terrible,” but other lives have been “negatively impacted unnecessarily because of how we have handled this pandemic. We believe you can prioritize public health yet be reasonable in your approach to fighting covid.”
Democrats opposed the legislation and the pending legal action.
“I’m glad I have a governor who cares about all lives,” state Rep. Leslie Love, D-Detroit told Bridge. “Offering this bill in the midst of a planet pandemic is like offering a person four squares after the bad diarrhea episode. It’s useless.”
Bret Gibson is a TribLive digital producer. A South Hills resident, he started working for the Trib in 1998. He can be reached at bgibson@triblive.com.
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