Stay-at-Home Order Sparks Anger in US as Thousands Storm Streets in Their Cars to Protest

Thousands of demonstrators in US state of Michigan descended on the state Capitol in Lansing on Wednesday to protest Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s restrictive stay-at-home order, clogging the streets with their cars while scores ignored organizers’ pleas to stay inside their vehicles.

The protest, dubbed “Operation Gridlock” , was organized by the Michigan Conservative Coalition and the Michigan Freedom Fund, a DeVos family-linked conservative group. Protesters were encouraged to show up and cause traffic jams, honk and bring signs to display from their cars. Organizers wrote on Facebook: “Do not park and walk — stay in your vehicles!”

Protesters were chanting “Open up Michigan!” And at one point, there was a “lock her up” chants in reference to Whitmer.

“We can get this rally done and stay within the social distancing guidelines,” Marian Sheridan, a Michigan Conservative Coalition co-founder, said in a statement ahead of the rally.

“Citizens are frankly tired of being treated like babies. As adults, we now know what needs to be done to stay safe.”

Addressing the protesters, the state’s Governor, Whitmer said she understands their “frustration” and is okay with people taking out their anger on her. She told the protesters to understand how easy the disease can spread and that those who do die from it often have to be alone at the end.

“I respect your opinions,” Whitmer said, adding, “I just urge you, don’t put yourself at risk and don’t put others at risk either.”

She said she was “really disappointed” to see people congregating outside and not wearing masks. She also pointed to the Confederate flags that were waved at the rally and mentioned that one individual was even passing candy out to children. Additionally, she said untold numbers of people may have touched gas pumps to get to Lansing, potentially spreading infection.

“We know this rally endangered people,” she said, adding that such activity “will put more people at risks and could prolong how long we need to be in this posture.”

She said it was a “sad irony” that the protest may necessitate to a lengthening of the stay-at-home order.