Michigan Residents Protest Coronavirus Lockdown With ‘Operation Gridlock’

Michigan Protest

A mass protest against the coronavirus lockdown took shape at Michigan’s state capitol on Wednesday, where residents vocally opposed Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s stay-at-home order.

A group called the Michigan Conservative Coalition organized the rally, in which the protesters were urged to stay in their cars. Promoted as a Facebook event called “Operation Gridlock,” citizens were encouraged to drive their cars to Michigan’s capitol of Lansing, hopefully creating a traffic jam to make a point.

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Protesters Asked to Stay In Their Cars

“Everyone, every citizen, every business owner needs to get out of their house, out of their chair and get in their car, or truck, or anything that is legal to drive on taxpayer funded roads,” the Facebook event text read. “Then drive to Lansing to circle the Michigan Capitol Building at 100 N. Capitol Avenue at noon on April 15.”

Protesters were encouraged to honk their horns during the car rally.

However, some people did not stay in their vehicles.

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The Michigan Conservative Coalition included a list of rules for protesting responsibly during the COVID-19 crisis, with “Stay in your vehicle. Don’t get out” topping it.

#Operationgridlock rules of the rally

Posted by Michigan Conservative Coalition on Monday, April 13, 2020

 

Protesters Angry at Gov. Whitmer’s Stay-At-Home Order: ”We feel like we’re living under tyranny’

“Right now we are all one team. This team wants to get Michigan back to work,” MCC board member Meshawn Maddock told Fox Business, emphasizing that the event will include Republicans, Democrats and independents.

“We’re not saying this is not a horrible disease or that social distancing hasn’t helped,” Maddock added. “[Whitmer’s] demands are unreasonable.”

“We feel like we’re living under tyranny,” she said.

“When did one size solve everyone’s local issues?” one unidentified protester asked local radio affiliate WWJ. “Gov. Whitmer will put you out of business before allowing mere citizens to be responsible for their own behavior. That is madness.”

One Michigan attorney has said he plans to sue the governor over the order.

“It’s taking a sledge hammer to an ant,” said attorney David Helm. “We believe it is over-broad and over-reaching. There is a way to do it appropriately without infringing on Constitutional rights like the governor has.”

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Gov. Whitmer acknowledged the frustration over her order and addressed the protesters.

“It’s OK to be frustrated. It’s OK to be angry,” Whitmer said. “If it makes you (feel) better to direct it at me, that’s OK, too. I’ve got thick skin.”

Last week, Whitmer advised protesters: “I just ask that people who are protesting these orders just do it in a safe manner so that you don’t get sick and you don’t subject our first responders to risk either. Please do not disseminate demonstrable inaccurate information or pray on other people’s anxieties.”

is a professional writer and editor with over 15 years of experience in conservative media and Republican politics. He... More about John Hanson

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