Dozens of protesters, some of whom were armed, gathered Thursday inside Michigan's Capitol building to voice their opposition to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's stay-at-home order, with tensions high as lawmakers were poised to debate an extension of the declaration.
's stay-at-home order, with tensions high as lawmakers were poised to debate an extension of an emergency and disaster declaration.
Dennis Sigler, 66, of Mason, told the newspaper he attended the protest out of respect for others and not because he was worried about the COVID-19."I love freedom," he said. "In America, we should be free. Don't let them try to protect us from ourselves." "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.Michigan has allowed guns inside the Capitol building but banned protest signs several years ago.
Similar gatherings have sprouted up across the country with participants denouncing stay-at-home orders in their respective states. Many activists have framed their discontent as a civil-rights issue. The orders have mandated that people stay home and that businesses temporarily close, resulting in massive job losses and employee furloughs." drew thousands outside Michigan's Capitol, in addition to another gathering outside Whitmer's home.
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