Michigan National Guard members participate in inauguration, Adjutant General swearing-in / 1st Lt. Andrew Layton, U.S. Air National Guard / Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer extended Michigan’s stay-at-home order through April 30. The extension prompted a protest by frustrated residents of Michigan.

Frustrated, residents of Michigan protested against the extension of the state’s stay-at-home order.

The Michigan Conservative Coalition (MCC) and Michigan Freedom Fund organized a protest that attracted conservatives, militia members, small-business owners, and supporters of President Donald Trump.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer extended Michigan’s “Stay Home, Stay Safe” order through April 30. The April 9 announcement also included tighter restrictions, which prompted a demonstration.

Between 3,000 and 4,000 protestors assembled at the motorcade, named “Operation Gridlock” by its organizers. Demonstrators displayed American flags, Trump 2020 campaign merchandise, and signs with messages such as “Recall Whitmer Now” and “We Want to Work.”

About 150 protestors gathered outside the Capitol Building, even though the organizers had not planned for people to leave their vehicles. According to NPR, most were not following social distancing guidelines or wearing masks.

“I think every single person here is probably going to get coronavirus, we’re all within six feet of each other,” said Nick Somber, a protester.

Although practicing social distancing, demonstrators who stayed inside their vehicles also posed a health threat. Thousands of cars blocked traffic and made it difficult for ambulances to reach a nearby hospital.

“While everyone has a right to gather and express their opinions, today’s protest sends exactly the opposite message that nurses and healthcare professionals are trying to get across: we are begging people, please stay home,” said the Michigan Nurses Association, in a statement. 

Michigan-dwellers opposed that the order identified more businesses, such as nurseries and landscaping businesses, as non-essential. Meshawn Maddock, a member of the MCC who helped organize the protest, said that the order had gone too far. 

“This arbitrary blanket spread of shutting down businesses, about putting all of these workers out of business, is just a disaster,” Maddock said. “And people are sick and tired of it.”

Whitmer said that events like this one are the reason for the state’s tight restrictions, but she understands people’s frustration. 

“We will get to a place where we can be with our friends and family again,” Whitmer said. “It’s OK to be frustrated; it’s OK to be angry. If it makes you feel better to direct it at me, that’s OK, too.”