‘Reopen CT’ protesters hit streets - mostly in cars

Cars line up in a protest outside the Governor’s Mansion on Monday as hundreds rallied against the closure of Connecticut businesses during the coronavirus pandemic. Cars line up in a protest outside the Governor’s Mansion on Monday as hundreds rallied against the closure of Connecticut businesses during the coronavirus pandemic. Photo: Patrick Sikes / For Hearst Connecticut Media Photo: Patrick Sikes / For Hearst Connecticut Media Image 1 of / 33 Caption Close ‘Reopen CT’ protesters hit streets - mostly in cars 1 / 33 Back to Gallery

HARTFORD — More than 1,000 protesters from across the state took to the streets of Hartford Monday afternoon to call on Gov. Ned Lamont to reopen the state, claiming their personal rights have been violated by government orders imposed since the onset of the COVID-19 public health crisis that has killed thousands of people across the country.

And while they echoed the rallying cries of similar events across the country, the gathering was noticeably different in that most attendees maintained their social distance in compliance with the very executive orders they were opposing.

The protesters spent hours circling the State Capitol building in Hartford, blaring car horns and donning signs and flags ranging from support of President Donald J. Trump to conspiracy theories about the origins of the virus. Few wore masks, but most stayed in their vehicles for the parade-style rally that lasted several hours.

By 7 p.m. the protesters had made their way across town to gather in front of the Governor’s Residence, and the ruckus only grew louder. Chants of “Open up the state” could be heard between the blaring horns. Police said there were no incidents as a result of the rally.

Michele Landry-Zaccaro, who owns and operates Studio 44 Family Hair Care in East Windsor, said she believes the virus is a real public health threat but argued she can safely run her business despite the pandemic by operating on a limited appointment basis and maintaining diligent cleaning procedures.

”This has been a complete hit. For a couple weeks it’s fine and I have money on the side, but what about the people that don’t have money on the side?” she said. ”It’s very unfair for everybody ... a lot of my friends tat are not small business owners ... they work from home, so they can put their feet up all day, stay in their pajamas and laugh and giggle about the TV shows they’re watching. I do not. Every day I wake up and think about how I can make more money for my salon.”

Landry-Zaccaro, who wore a mask to the protest, said she’s been putting together gifts baskets that she’s sold to help make up for lost business, and has started making masks and hand sanitizer for donations. But she’s still struggling. She’s applied for relief through small business and disaster loans but hasn’t been able to secure funding. She hasn’t applied yet for unemployment, for which she might qualify.

”I can do whatever we have to do but please let us open,” Landry-Zaccaro said. “I’m sure many businesses can think about this and open.”

Many protesters, though, made it clear they’re not convinced the seriousness of the virus is all its made out to be. A group of about 50 people gathered outside their vehicles ahead of the protest and talked openly among each other about their disbelief. One man began coughing loudly and spitting on the ground.

”Don’t don’t worry, it’s not COVID,” he joked, holding up a sign that said, "My body, my choice."

Lamont, who held his daily briefing at 4 p.m. appeared to be home at the residence by the time the protesters arrived there, but made no appearance outside.

“You’ve seen evidence that our executive orders in the social distancing, thanks to the amazing people of the state of Connecticut, are working; that we are beginning to bend the curve at least in the southern part of the state,” Lamont said during his daily briefing.

“And this is no time to get our eye off the ball. I loved it when Dr. (Albert) Ko (Yale epidemiologist) who is co-leading our ReOpen Connecticut (Advisory Group) effort was asked that question. He said I would like each of those demonstrators to walk through one of my ICU units and see what pain and hurt and fatalities can result from this pandemic. So it’s really important that we do this on a safe basis, and how we feel it’s one of the ways we’re going to be able to do it more effectively.”

Legislators who’ve criticized Lamont’s decision to extend closures to at least May 20, supported the protesters right to rally, and agreed with some of their sentiments, but made it clear that appropriate precautions like social distancing, masks and other efforts should be made to stay safe.

”We all know we’re not going to go to sleep on Sunday and wake up on Monday morning and everything is open. That's not how this is going to work,” said House Minority Leader Themis Klarides, of Derby. “This is going to be a slow process ... there’s a number of ways to do this in a responsible way, and again, it cannot be done until the health experts tell us it is safe to do so, but it is time now, five weeks into this, to talk about what that will look like."

kkrasselt@hearstmediact.com; 203-842-2563; @kaitlynkrasselt