Hundreds of people protested outside the Michigan Capitol building in Lansing on Thursday, with some pushing inside while the Legislature was debating an extension of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's state of emergency in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
Protesters held signs, waved American flags and even carried firearms, while some chanted "Let us in!" and "This is the people's house, you cannot lock us out." Others tried to get onto the House floor but were blocked by state police and sergeants-at-arms, according to NBC affiliate WDIV of Detroit.
Full coverage of the coronavirus outbreak
A state police spokesman told NBC News that it is legal in Michigan to carry firearms as long as it's done with lawful intent and the weapon is visible.
Michigan United for Liberty organized the protest, dubbed the American Patriot Rally, to call for the reopening of businesses.
State lawmakers are expected to vote on the 28-day extension of the state of emergency before it expires at midnight.
Whitmer, a Democrat who has faced fierce backlash for her strict stay-at-home mandate, extended the order earlier this month until May 15, but she eased some restrictions on public activities as the state's coronavirus cases stabilize. Michigan, however, still has more than 40,000 cases and is one of the hardest-hit states.
The emergency declaration gives Whitmer authority to issue executive orders during a crisis; its extension is separate from that of the stay-at-home order.
As the protests moved indoors from the rainy steps of the Capitol, police took the temperatures of those entering the building using forehead thermometers, according to NBC affiliate WOOD of Grand Rapids.
Poster Comment:
How Dare these selfish Right Wing Fascists!!! Those thermometers could have been used to stimulate the LGBTQRST community!
#1: Lod To: Dakmar (#0)
Lod posted on 2020-04-30 22:45:53 Reply Private Reply
#2: Dakmar To: Lod (#1)
Lots of people going to get fined for for mowing their yard. Except in Detroit and Flint, of course (the epicenters of Wolverine Wuhan). Without lifting a finger to do any actual research, I'm betting "Somali Community hit especially hard" is a popular byline in current Pine Tree State propaganda.
Anarcho-tyranny, anyone?
Dakmar posted on 2020-04-30 22:56:13 Reply Private Reply
#3: Fred Mertz To: Dakmar (#0)
Those phased things sound good, but they can't predict crap, like our expert scientists.
Fred Mertz posted on 2020-04-30 23:10:19 Reply Private Reply
#4: Lod To: Dakmar, Fred Mertz, 4um (#2)
Lod posted on 2020-04-30 23:16:27 Reply Private Reply
#5: Dakmar To: Fred Mertz (#3)
Dakmar posted on 2020-04-30 23:17:03 Reply Private Reply
#6: Dakmar To: Lod (#4)
The whole "laboratory of democracy" concept is brilliant. So of course tyrants hate it.
Dakmar posted on 2020-04-30 23:18:32 Reply Private Reply
#7: Lod To: Dakmar (#5)
A++
Lod posted on 2020-04-30 23:18:40 Reply Private Reply
#8: Fred Mertz To: Dakmar (#5)
I know a few cattle men around, and when I'm allowed out of my home incarceration I'll ask them. Maybe I'll go for a drive tomorrow and find out.
Fred Mertz posted on 2020-04-30 23:24:59 Reply Private Reply
#9: Dakmar To: Lod, Fred Mertz (#7)
So...I should pay UN to bring me flies to eat?
Dakmar posted on 2020-04-30 23:29:32 Reply Private Reply
#10: NeoconsNailed To: Dakmar (#0)
NeoconsNailed posted on 2020-05-01 01:46:46 Reply Private Reply
#11: Esso To: Dakmar, 4um (#5)
Because that would help the people and this country. A DeepState no-no.
Don't bother sending my prize. Send it to the next big winner.
Esso posted on 2020-05-01 08:41:15 Reply Private Reply
#12: noone222 To: Lod (#4)
Often the opposition and even some supporters jump too soon on Trump's statements but I tend to wait for a bit to see if Trump's springloaded trap snaps shut on these morons.
Trump is a genius !
noone222 posted on 2020-05-01 09:01:17 Reply Private Reply