Talk of reopening the shattered US economy has been going on for days, but some local governments and lawmakers have imposed almost draconian rules on citizens, prompting a revolt.
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer last week ordered that “non-essential” sections of grocery and retail stores that would otherwise be deemed “essential” would be closed to the public. Citing concerns about public safety, Whitmer’s enforcement of the policy angered many residents who noted that the modern rules prevented them from accessing many needed items, such as fruit and vegetable seeds.
The Democratic governor also banned all gatherings in the state under her “Stay Home, Stay Safe” order, regardless of the size of the gathering or family affiliation. All vacation home tours in the state, boating activities and access to sections of stores that are “dedicated to carpet, flooring, furniture, gardens, nurseries or paint” have been banned, with penalties of a misdemeanor charge for violations.
Despite global talk of reopening the economy and data showing a slowdown in modern COVID-19 cases, Whitmer has pushed ahead with her restrictions, unfazed by her constituents’ concerns about government abuse of power. This week, tens of thousands of concerned Michiganders are pushing back against modern rules they say are unnecessary.
“Quarantine is a restriction on the movement of sick people. Tyranny is a restriction on the movement of healthy people” the protest organizer said Meshawn Maddock. “Every single person has learned a hard lesson about social distancing. We don’t need a nanny state telling people how to be careful.”
Tuesday’s protest in the state capitol in Lansing will feature about 15,000 vehicles in a drive-by demonstration dubbed “Operation Gridlock” aimed at blocking traffic from downtown. An online petition to recall Whitmer, circulated by Michiganders Against Excessive Quarantine, has received more than 200,000 signatures online signatures.
Elsewhere in the country, Americans fed up with tightening restrictions in areas they see as less likely to experience mass infections from the Wuhan virus have also raised alarm. More than 20,000 people in North Carolina also planned to protest Tuesday, citing the relatively tiny impact of COVID-19 on their state.
Here’s a viral surge: a Facebook group in North Carolina called #ReopenNC started last Thursday and already has 21,000 members; it is calling for a protest tomorrow. North Carolina, population 10.4 million, has 81 #Covid deaths and 331 hospitalizations.https://t.co/zw43IUi4gW
— Alex Berenson (@AlexBerenson) April 13, 2020
In Columbus, Ohio, last week, protesters donned Guy Fawkes masks while carrying signs calling for an end to strict enforcement of mitigation measures. Calls for Republican Gov. DeWine to register rang out alongside signs reading “Open Ohio” and “Quarantine Worse Than the Virus.”
DeWine acknowledged the protester’s First Amendment rights but remained firm in his decision to maintain restrictions on the resident’s way of life.
“People who are outside have every right to come out and say whatever they want to say” Governor DeWine said“We will not hold these orders one day longer than we have to. What I ask Ohioans to do is persevere.”
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