Online groups spreading misinformation and calling for armed protests against coronavirus lockdown measures in the US are proliferating on Facebook after the technology giant said it would not take action against them.

Pro-gun protestors from Kentucky, Michigan, Wisconsin and other states have used the social network to organise and coordinate anti-quarantine action. The groups have hundreds of thousands of members combined, and appear to be largely made up of Trump supporters.

“We are organising an armed march,” a recent post to the group Michigan Militia states. “We tried a regular unarmed march but they did not listen to us. Now it is time to use force... We will not stop until they hear us out and listen to us!!”

Many of the groups have surged in popularity in recent days, following the US President’s call to “liberate” three states by ending strict confinement rules designed to slow the spread of the Covid-19 virus. “Save your great 2nd Amendment,” he tweeted last week. “It is under siege.”

The White House outlined three phases to allow states to reopen safely last week, however these were subsequently undermined by Trump when he endorsed protests over the weekend.

“If people feel that way, you’re allowed to protest,” he said on Sunday. “Some governors have gone too far, some of the things that happened are maybe not so appropriate.”

A Facebook spokesperson acknowledged the groups but told The Independent that it did not plan to remove them unless they were explicitly breaking the law.

“Unless government prohibits the event during this time, we allow it to be organised on Facebook,” the spokesperson said. “For this same reason, events that defy government’s guidance on social distancing aren’t allowed on Facebook.”

'Live free or die': Anti-lockdown protests sweep US Show all 15 1 /15 'Live free or die': Anti-lockdown protests sweep US 'Live free or die': Anti-lockdown protests sweep US Protesters form a motorcade against lockdown orders outside the State House in Annapolis, Maryland on 18 April AFP/Getty 'Live free or die': Anti-lockdown protests sweep US People take part in a protest for "Michiganders Against Excessive Quarantine" outside the Michigan State Capitol building in Lansing on 15 April AFP/Getty 'Live free or die': Anti-lockdown protests sweep US Alex Jones, host of conspiracy theory outlet Infowars, joins the 'Reopen America' protest against lockdown measures in Austin Texas on 18 April AFP/Getty 'Live free or die': Anti-lockdown protests sweep US A group of protesters rally against lockdown orders outside the Virginia State Capitol building in Richmond on 16 April AFP/Getty 'Live free or die': Anti-lockdown protests sweep US A protester holds a sign comparing Michigan governor Gretchen Whitmer to a Nazi during a demonstration at the State Capitol in Lansing over coronavirus lockdown measures AP 'Live free or die': Anti-lockdown protests sweep US A 2020 Trump Unity sign is displayed during a protest against coronavirus lockdown measures at the State Capitol in Lansing, Michigan AP 'Live free or die': Anti-lockdown protests sweep US Anti-lockdown protesters drive by the Ohio State House in Columbus on 18 April AFP/Getty 'Live free or die': Anti-lockdown protests sweep US Protesters form a motorcade in opposition to state lockdown measures outside the Michigan State Capitol in Lansing on 15 April AFP/Getty 'Live free or die': Anti-lockdown protests sweep US A protester takes part in a rally outside the Ohio State House in Columbus on 18 April AFP/Getty 'Live free or die': Anti-lockdown protests sweep US People take part in a protest for "Michiganders Against Excessive Quarantine" outside the Michigan State Capitol building in Lansing on 15 April AFP/Getty 'Live free or die': Anti-lockdown protests sweep US Protesters form part of a motorcade in opposition to state lockdown measures outside the North Carolina State Legislature in Raleigh on 14 April AFP/Getty 'Live free or die': Anti-lockdown protests sweep US Protesters rally against lockdown measures outside the Michigan State Capitol in Lansing on 15 April AFP/Getty 'Live free or die': Anti-lockdown protests sweep US Protesters form a motorcade in opposition to state lockdown measures around the Michigan State Capitol in Lansing on 15 April AFP/Getty 'Live free or die': Anti-lockdown protests sweep US Police urge people to spread out during a protest against lockdown measures outside the Virginia State Capitol building in Richmond on 16 April AFP/Getty 'Live free or die': Anti-lockdown protests sweep US An armed protester taking part in a demonstration against coronavirus lockdown measures outside the State Capitol in Lansing, Michigan EPA

The policy appears to go against recent action taken by Facebook to crack down on people who post dangerous content relating to the coronavirus pandemic.

Many of the groups promote the idea that the Covid-19 virus is no worse than a common flu, despite warnings from the World Health Organisation that it poses a greater risk to people’s lives.

There have been more than 770,000 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the US and 41,316 deaths, making it the worst affected country in the world.

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Protestors have downplayed the scale of the crisis and called for local businesses to reopen amid record job losses and dire economic forecasts.

Some of the Facebook groups have been set up by a trio of far-right provocateurs, according to The Washington Post, who tracked Facebook groups targeting Wisconsin, Ohio, Pennsylvania and New York. Siblings Aaron, Ben and Christopher Dorr are reportedly behind many of the groups calling for mass disturbance.