PA Protest Against Coronavirus Shutdowns
PENNSYLVANIA — Thousands of people packed into the sidewalks surrounding the state Capitol Complex in Harrisburg Monday, protesting the ongoing shutdowns to mitigate the spread of coronavirus.
While many protesters chose to remain in their cars and honk their horns as they passed the Capitol Complex, many gathered on the sidewalks and the blocks around the complex, lining both sides of the street.
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While the crowd was thinned out earlier in the morning, by noon they were tightly jammed together, many without masks, flouting guidelines recommended by health officials to stop the spread of the virus.
There have been 1,112 deaths from coronavirus in Pennsylvania, while 32,284 are infected, as of late Sunday. The state has been under a stay-at-home order since April 1.
Among the protesters were numerous state state senators and representatives, according to State Sen. Doug Mastriano, who shared a Facebook Live video of the protest.
“This is democracy in action,” State Rep. Barb Gleim said in the Facebook Live. “It’s really great to see the people out here standing up for what they want and what is right.”
The official protest was not scheduled to begin until noon, but protesters hit the street hours before that. American flags and “Don’t Tread on Me” flags waved in the wind. Classic rock and country music blared. Red MAGA hats spotted the crowd.
Signs read “Big Bad Wolf,” “I Need a Haircut,” “Quarantine the Government,” “We The People,” “Obey Jesus,” Stand Strong Today,” “Freedom is Essential,” “Work Not Welfare,” and “Trump, Make America Great Again.”
Several speakers, including state legislators, addressed the crowd at around noon.
“This is an amazing grassroots effort that you guys are taking part in,” Rep. Aaron Bernstein (R-10) addressed the crowd. “We’re gonna make some noise and let the citizens know we’re here, we’re gonna make some noise and let the state legislators know we’re here, and we’re gonna make some noise and let the governor know we’re here.”
As horns and screams erupted, he led a chant of “USA! USA!”
State Reps. Russ Diamond and Mastriano also spoke.
All nonessential business were ordered closed by the governor March 16.
Protesters were asked by organizers to stay away from hospitals, so as not to impact healthcare services. Similar protests that took place in recent days in places like Michigan and Maryland also involved protesters driving.
However, the protest was organized specifically as an in-car protest.
“Social distancing is encouraged, but not mandated,” the event’s description reads. “Please act in a respectful manner toward those around you. Wear a face mask if you feel so inclined. This is not about Covid-19, but rather about re-starting our state’s economy.”
Pennsylvania Secretary of Health Rachel Levine said that if protesters stay in their car there is no problem, but if they get out of their vehicles and refuse to social distance, she said “I am concerned for their health.”
>>>Full coverage of coronavirus in Pennsylvania
This article originally appeared on the Norristown Patch
