In the same week that Michigan's coronavirus death toll hit 2,300, critics of the governor's stay-at-home order grew louder and louder, rallying in Lansing by the thousands, toting guns and protest signs on the Capitol steps and filing multiple lawsuits that claim their rights are being violated.

A Northern Michigan man is upset that he can't visit his girlfriend, friends and family.

An Oakland County tree and lawn care specialist says he has been unfairly forced to close and lay off 15 employees.

Boaters are mad that they can't take to the lakes. Gun owners are up in arms about gun and ammunition stores being ordered to close.

And a Madison Heights couple says they're stuck in their Lexington cabin, unable to return to their home in Oakland County, because they were at their vacation house when a no-travel order took effect.

"Never in the modern history of the United States — even in war time — has such an invasive action stripping citizens of fundamental rights been taken by a government order," Plymouth attorney David Helm argues in a lawsuit filed Tuesday in U.S. District Court against Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.

Whitmer is facing mounting pressure to ease her stay-at-home order, which aims to stop the spread of a virus that as of Saturday had infected 30,700 statewide and killed more than 2,300. Michigan is third in the nation in terms of total COVID-19 deaths behind New York and New Jersey.

More:Gov. Whitmer plans to detail 'some relaxing' of stay home order for May 1

But critics argue the stay-at-home order, under which more than 1 million residents have filed for unemployment, goes too far: They want to go boating, visit friends, open their businesses and travel across the state. At least seven lawsuits were filed in Michigan this week, arguing, among other things, that the order infringes on individuals' property rights, their rights to freely associate with one another and to freely travel across the state.

Even President Trump joined the fray on Friday by tweeting, "LIBERATE MICHIGAN!"

In addition to lawsuits, Republican legislators have introduced bills that would strip powers away from the governor. Four northern Michigan sheriffs also have vowed that they will not strictly enforce some of Whitmer's orders, calling them "vague and overstepping," such as the no-motorized boating order.

Whitmer, though, isn't backing down. Her order is about saving lives and protecting the vulnerable, she says, stressing it's not time yet to reopen the economy.

"As much as I want that day to come quickly, my number one priority is saving lives in our state," Whitmer said at a news conference Friday, during which she said she hopes to loosen restrictions on May 1, when the stay-at-home order is set to expire.

But, the governor stressed, the economy will not "open all at once," only gradually over time.

"We will re-engage our economy when it's safe," Whitmer said Friday. "We're not there yet ... The rate of infection remains high, especially in certain parts of our state. And the threat of a second spike that overloads our hospitals is still very real if we don't get this right."

Under Whitmer's stay-at-home order, Michigan residents are prohibited from leaving the house except for essential purposes, such as shopping for food and medicine and getting exercise. It orders all businesses deemed nonessential to stop calling their employees in to work. And it bans travel to cottages up north and boating.

'Social distance is working'

According to Michigan's chief medical executive, Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, the growth rate in new COVID-19 cases has plateaued in Michigan: On Saturday, the state saw 768 new cases, marking the fourth time this week that confirmed cases were below 1,000.

"These are positive signs and it means that social distancing is working," Khaldun said Friday.

But still too many are dying, the state's top doctor said.

"A plateau in cases still means there are a lot of cases and deaths occurring, and we have to be mindful of this as we move forward with our response," Khaldun said.

Whitmer credited the public for flattening the curve, saying "the vast majority of Michiganders have been doing their part."

"The stay home order has worked because you have made a commitment," Whitmer said. "It’s making a difference."

And it needs to continue, the governor said.

"We're still seeing more than a thousand new cases every day and more than a hundred new deaths every day. Every unnecessary trip to the gas pump could put someone’s parent, grandparent, brother, daughter, son at risk," Whitmer said.

Khaldun echoed that and encouraged the public to continue "abiding by the governor's stay home, stay safe order."

"It's working," Khaldun said. "And it’s the most important thing we can all do to keep Michiganders safe and to save lives."

Gun rights. Boats. Cottages

As the governor urges Michiganders to continue staying home, thousands of residents are crying foul, claiming certain provisions of her order make no sense, are vague and go too far.

In lawsuits filed across the state, plaintiffs raise several issues, including:

Whitmer's order unfairly prohibits someone from traveling to their cottage where they can enjoy peace and solitude, and have little to no chance of spreading the virus.

Landscaping businesses that operate only outdoors and have "little to no chance" of spreading COVID-19 are not allowed to be open under the order, yet places like hardware stores, marijuana businesses and abortion centers are deemed essential.

Kayaking and canoeing are allowed, but not the use of motorized boats.

Gun shops have been deemed nonessential, which Second Amendment advocates allege is intentional.

"This deliberate action shuts down gun stores in order to deny citizens ... access to their Second Amendment rights ... However, the order permits individuals to travel to buy food for a pet, marijuana or gum at a grocery store, among other items," states one federal lawsuit challenging Whitmer's stay-at-home order.

That lawsuit was filed Wednesday in federal court in Grand Rapids by the American Freedom Law Center, a national public interest law firm that is suing Whitmer and several county prosecutors, alleging parts of the stay-at-home order violate freedom of association rights and the right to bear arms.

AFLC co-founder and senior counsel Robert Muise, who is also a named plaintiff in the case, argues:

"Americans love freedom and despise tyranny. We cannot risk losing our liberty during this time of crisis. If we don’t stop this now, I fear that it will become the ‘new norm.' "

On Friday, the Michigan United Conservation Clubs also announced plans to sue the governor over the motorboat prohibition, saying that while it is "very sensitive to the public health crisis," keeping waterways open to recreational boaters" could be vital to Michiganders' mental health and well being during this time."

The motorboat prohibition also has drawn the ire of four northern Michigan sheriffs from Benzie, Manistee, Mason and Leelanau counties, which collectively have21 COVID-19 cases. The sheriffs have vowed not to enforce certain provisions of Whitmer's order, calling it vague and overreaching.

“While we understand her desire to protect the public, we question some restrictions that she has imposed as overstepping her executive authority," the sheriffs announced this week. "She has created a vague framework of emergency laws that only confuse Michigan citizens.”

Whitmer was not rattled by their criticism.

"Four sheriffs out of 83 sheriffs, making a point, that's fine," Whitmer said on "Good Morning America" on Friday. "All I ask is let's not get overly political here. Let's focus on the public health."

She added:

"I know that there are a lot of businesses and people that are hurting right now. But the fact of the matter is, it's better to be six feet apart right now than six feet under."

Contact Tresa Baldas: tbaldas@freepress.com