Protesters returned to the Michigan Capitol grounds today in Lansing essentially demanding the end of the state’s quarantine orders, and arguing that Gov. Whitmer needs to be recalled for her “overreach” and “tyranny.”
While it wasn’t nearly the full-on gridlock of two weeks ago, there were hundreds of people milling about on the capitol lawn as speakers addressed them through loudspeakers from a podium on the capitol steps. 
Prior to the bulk of the affair outside, the Sgt. at Arms for the Michigan House of Representatives had to forcibly remove three members of the group Michigan United for Liberty when they refused to comply with new restrictions in the gallery overlooking the house floor.
With American flags waving in concert with umbrellas, banners and signs, dozens took to the lawn openly defying the Governor’s request to at least be prepared with face masks and other personal protections during the demonstrations.
Even though there were not as many vehicles in the streets, they made their presence known with honking horns. Many of the protesters who turned out earlier this month were members of the landscaping and garden center industry who had appealed loudly for a return to work. That large contingent was not present today, as they have been freed to return to work and are busy taking care of the jobs they were fighting for.
Signs scattered through the crowd included:
- Let my people go!
- Michiganders want to work. Open Michigan Now.
- RecallWhitmerNow.com
- Make America Work Again
- Lets Rebel
- We Won’t Back Down
- End Tyranny
- Freedom
- End domestic terrorism. Let Americans work and take care of ourselves.
- It’s no longer blue vs. red…it’s freedom vs. tyranny
- Set us free from tyranny
- Liberty over tyranny
Lavora Barnes, Chair of the Michigan Democratic Party, was among the first to react to today’s actions in Lansing, releasing this statement:
“Turning a global health crisis into a political game is short-sighted and dangerous. It’s time for Republicans to do the right thing on behalf of their constituents and work with Governor Whitmer. Laura Cox, Chair of the Michigan Republican Party, Speaker Chatfield, and Senate Majority Leader Shirkey must condemn the use of hate language, racism, or threats of violence from participants in today’s protest as what they are: despicable, disgusting, and shameful.”
Gov. Whitmer is under fire for extending her shelter-in-place order and seeking to extend the state of emergency declaration by another 28 days. She reminded everyone yesterday in a Wednesday update, “We remain in a state of emergency until the order is rescinded,” adding, “I do not have any intention of rescinding that right now.”
The photos accompanying this story on Moody on the Market are screen captures from live coverage of today’s protests as aired live on TV 9 & 10 in Traverse City.
