The Michigan Conservative Coalition (MCC) will be hosting a rally to protest what they call “erratic, unilateral orders” to stay at home and for non-essential businesses to be shut down.
The vehicle rally — where protesters in their cars will surround the Capitol building — will take place on April 15 at noon. The MCC is asking protesters to “display signs, make noise and be disruptive” while remaining in their vehicles for “Operation Gridlock.”
“Michigan’s typical small business owners obey laws, but they may not notice the progressive agenda being pushed by our radical leftist Governor Whitmer,” said Rosanne Ponkowski, President of the Michigan Conservative Coalition, in a statement. “Dope shops are open, while cigar shops are closed.”
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer recently extended Michigan’s “Stay Home, Stay Safe” order until the end of April. In addition to continuing prohibiting non-essential businesses, the new order also bans traveling between Michigan residences and places new social distancing restrictions on grocery stores.
“Numerous outdoor jobs like landscaping, nurseries, excavation and lawn services are shut down. Heart surgeries are banned as non-essential, but abortion clinics remain open,” said Meshawn Maddock, Chair of the 11th District Republican Committee in a statement. “Construction — including much road repair — is shut down, though not a single neighboring state is doing that. Easter and Passover services were effectively cancelled by a government order. The madness needs to end before Michigan’s freedoms and economy are damaged beyond repair by power hungry bureaucrats.”
The MCC is encouraging protesters to call their representatives or state senators, as well as the Capitol.
“Citizens are frankly tired of being treated like babies. As adults, we now know what needs to be done to stay safe,” said Marian Sheridan, an MCC co-founder, in a statement. “We also believe the liberal attack on the economy is becoming a serious threat right now. Join us in Lansing. We need to stop the madness and have a plan to re-open Michigan’s economy before it is too late.”
As of Friday, Michigan has more than 22,700 confirmed cases of the coronavirus, according to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. The death toll in the state is currently 1,281.
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Jordyn Pair is a reporter with The Michigan Star. Follow her on Twitter at @JordynPair. Email her at [email protected].
