Thousands protest against lockdown in US

Protesters gathered in several states across the country Saturday (April 18) to demand an end to stay-at-home orders that were put in place to stop the spread of the coronavirus.

The demonstrations took place in several states, including Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Ohio, Texas, and Wisconsin. Many of those who broke social-distancing rules carried signs that had phrases like, “This is tyranny, not quarantine” and “Shut down the shutdown.”

One of the largest rallies took place in Austin, where some 300 people gathered with many carrying signs, flags, T-shirts, and caps that made their support for President Donald Trump explicit. Protesters chanted, “Let us work!” and “Fire Fauci” as many did not seem to believe there was any need to keep distance from each other while they shook hands and hugged at the protest that was heavily promoted by conspiracy-theory peddling website Infowars. Some attendants were disappointed by the scene that unfolded on the steps of the Capitol. “We thought it was going to be a lot bigger than this,” a protester told the Austin American Statesman.

Several hundred people also gathered outside the Ohio Statehouse on Saturday to protest the state’s stay-at-home order with some chanting, “We are not sheep.” “I believe that we’re over reacting to this. Ohio numbers are not that large for us to have people lose their businesses. It’s just not warranted,” one protester said. “I would like to see Ohio open up now! None of this is warranted for our numbers.”

It seems that for now at least the protests don’t reflect what the majority of Americans are thinking. A Pew poll released earlier this week found that 66 percent of Americans were concerned about lifting restrictions too early while only 32 percent said they were not being lifted quickly enough.

Despite the numbers the demonstrators are clearly trying to pressure governors as they try to figure out how and when to start reopening their economies. Florida allowed some beaches to reopen Saturday and South Carolina is also getting ready to reopen public beaches and retail stores next week, according to the Post and Courier.

Source: Agencies

Dhaka/AI