Protestors gather at Main Street and Walnut Ave. in Huntington Beach, CA on Friday, April 17, 2020. People were protesting COVID-19 closures and call for the country to be reopened. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Sarah Mason joins others during a protest at Main Street and Walnut Ave. in Huntington Beach, CA on Friday, April 17, 2020. People were protesting COVID-19 closures and call for the country to be reopened. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)

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A crowd of people gather at the corner of Main Street and Walnut Avenue in Huntington Beach, CA, to protest coronavirus (COVID-19) closures on Friday, April 17, 2020. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

A passer-by shouts at protesters gathered at the corner of Main Street and Walnut Avenue in Huntington Beach, CA, to protest coronavirus (COVID-19) closures on Friday, April 17, 2020. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Kelly DePledge and Sarah McDowell, from left, join in a protest at Main Street and Walnut Ave. in Huntington Beach, CA on Friday, April 17, 2020. People were protesting COVID-19 closures and call for the country to be reopened. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)



Jessica Lilly, right, with her children, Abbey Lilly, 7, and Arlo Lilly, 4, join a crowd of people gathered at the corner of Main Street and Walnut Avenue in Huntington Beach, CA, to protest coronavirus (COVID-19) closures on Friday, April 17, 2020. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Rose Riggio, from Los Angeles, joins a crowd of people gathered at the corner of Main Street and Walnut Avenue in Huntington Beach, CA, to protest coronavirus (COVID-19) closures on Friday, April 17, 2020. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Dory Oberlin joins others in a protest at Main Street and Walnut Ave. in Huntington Beach, CA on Friday, April 17, 2020. People were protesting COVID-19 closures and call for the country to be reopened. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Police keep an eye on a crowd of people gathered at the corner of Main Street and Walnut Avenue in Huntington Beach, CA, to protest coronavirus (COVID-19) closures on Friday, April 17, 2020. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

A crowd of people gather at the corner of Main Street and Walnut Avenue in Huntington Beach, CA, to protest coronavirus (COVID-19) closures on Friday, April 17, 2020. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)



Abbey Lilly, 7, joins her mother, Jessica Lilly, and brother, Arlo Lilly, 4, in a crowd of people gathered at the corner of Main Street and Walnut Avenue in Huntington Beach, CA, to protest coronavirus (COVID-19) closures on Friday, April 17, 2020. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

A crowd of people gather at the corner of Main Street and Walnut Avenue in Huntington Beach, CA, to protest coronavirus (COVID-19) closures on Friday, April 17, 2020. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

A passing driver gives a thumbs up during a protest at Main Street and Walnut Ave. in Huntington Beach, CA on Friday, April 17, 2020. People were protesting COVID-19 closures and call for the country to be reopened. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)f

A crowd of people gather at the corner of Main Street and Walnut Avenue in Huntington Beach, CA, to protest coronavirus (COVID-19) closures on Friday, April 17, 2020. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Sarah Mason, from Covina, joins a crowd of people gathered at the corner of Main Street and Walnut Avenue in Huntington Beach, CA, to protest coronavirus (COVID-19) closures on Friday, April 17, 2020. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)



A crowd of people gather at the corner of Main Street and Walnut Avenue in Huntington Beach, CA, to protest coronavirus (COVID-19) closures on Friday, April 17, 2020. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

A crowd of people gather at the corner of Main Street and Walnut Avenue in Huntington Beach, CA, to protest coronavirus (COVID-19) closures on Friday, April 17, 2020. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Kira Beattie , center, joins a crowd of people gathered at the corner of Main Street and Walnut Avenue in Huntington Beach, CA, to protest coronavirus (COVID-19) closures on Friday, April 17, 2020. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

A crowd of people gather at the corner of Main Street and Walnut Avenue in Huntington Beach, CA, to protest coronavirus (COVID-19) closures on Friday, April 17, 2020. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Sarah Mason, from Covina, joins a crowd of people gathered at the corner of Main Street and Walnut Avenue in Huntington Beach, CA, to protest coronavirus (COVID-19) closures on Friday, April 17, 2020. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)



A crowd of people gather at the corner of Main Street and Walnut Avenue in Huntington Beach, CA, to protest coronavirus (COVID-19) closures on Friday, April 17, 2020. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Sarah Mason joins others during a protest at Main Street and Walnut Ave. in Huntington Beach, CA on Friday, April 17, 2020. People were protesting COVID-19 closures and call for the country to be reopened. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Protestors gather at Main Street and Walnut Ave. in Huntington Beach, CA on Friday, April 17, 2020 to protest COVID-19 closures and call for the country to be reopened. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)

People take a selfie during a protest at Main Street and Walnut Ave. in Huntington Beach, CA on Friday, April 17, 2020. People were protesting COVID-19 closures and call for the country to be reopened. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Huntington Beach police talk to two women during a protest at Main Street and Walnut Ave. in Huntington Beach, CA on Friday, April 17, 2020. People were protesting COVID-19 closures and call for the country to be reopened. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)



Benny White of Compton joins others during a protest at Main Street and Walnut Ave. in Huntington Beach, CA on Friday, April 17, 2020. People were protesting COVID-19 closures and call for the country to be reopened. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Benny White, from Compton, wears a painters suit as he joins a crowd of people gathered at the corner of Main Street and Walnut Avenue in Huntington Beach, CA, to protest coronavirus (COVID-19) closures on Friday, April 17, 2020. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

A protester carries a large flag as police block the corner of Main Street and Walnut Avenue in Huntington Beach, CA, as people protest coronavirus (COVID-19) closures on Friday, April 17, 2020. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Police officers block the intersection of Main streets rather get and Walnut Avenue as a crowd of people gathered at the corner of Main Street and Walnut Avenue in Huntington Beach, CA, to protest coronavirus (COVID-19) closures on Friday, April 17, 2020. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Police officers block the intersection of Main streets rather get and Walnut Avenue as a crowd of people gathered at the corner of Main Street and Walnut Avenue in Huntington Beach, CA, to protest coronavirus (COVID-19) closures on Friday, April 17, 2020. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)



Police officers keep an eye on a crowd of people gathered at the corner of Main Street and Walnut Avenue in Huntington Beach, CA, to protest coronavirus (COVID-19) closures on Friday, April 17, 2020. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Police helicopter flies over a crowd of people gathered at the corner of Main Street and Walnut Avenue in Huntington Beach, CA, to protest coronavirus (COVID-19) closures on Friday, April 17, 2020. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

A crowd of people gather at the corner of Main Street and Walnut Avenue in Huntington Beach, CA, to protest coronavirus (COVID-19) closures on Friday, April 17, 2020. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Scores of protesters defying stay-at-home orders gathered in downtown Huntington Beach on Friday, rallying for an end to restrictions on businesses and public gatherings that health officials say are needed to save lives during the coronavirus pandemic.

Mobilized largely through social-media posts, several dozens of protesters gathered at Main Street and Walnut Avenue shortly before 1 p.m. The crowd grew to more than 200 people, according to police.

Many had signs, such as “Live free or die.” Some wore masks. The group periodically chanted “U.S.A” as some passing vehicles honked in support.

In a posting on social media Friday evening, Huntington Beach police said that while the protest was peaceful, it could have escalated into something more dangerous.

“While the department worked to get enough resources there to manage the protest effectively, the people at the location began violating some of our local ordinances regarding public assembly including walking in the middle of the street and carrying signs with large sticks that could be used as weapons,” the police department said on Facebook. “Once we had sufficient officers in place, they utilized great restraint in dealing with circumstances that could have escalated into significant police action.”

Police contacted the organizers of the protest and eventually dispersed the majority of the crowd without incident. No arrests were reported.

Nicole Brown, 50, of Costa Mesa, said she sympathizes with those who have the virus and understands why some might want to quarantine, but she believes it should be an option.

“Our freedom has been taken away from us, people are locked in their homes,” she said.

Some protesters leaned political; there were Trump banners. Others lamented the impact on daily lives, including a man wearing a Cowboys jersey and bandanna and holding a sign that said, “Save football, wear a mask.”

One protester, wearing a mock white CDC suit, held a sign describing the coronavirus as a “lie.”

Paula Doyle, 62, of Costa Mesa was one of the first to arrive. She said she came out because she felt the shutdown was aiding in the widespread panic of the pandemic.

“I just want to go back to normal,” Doyle said of the stay at home orders. “I don’t think there’s a reason for this.”

Some residents passing through the area during the rally disagreed with the protesters’ push to immediately end the stay-at-home restrictions.

“We really have to trust the process,” said Lance Siegal, a Huntington Beach resident. “We have to trust the medical professionals for the final say. They’re the ones who are seeing this on the front lines.”

The local gathering followed large-scale rallies earlier in the week in Michigan, Kentucky and North Carolina, as well as expected protests planned in Texas, Oregon and other parts of California.

The nationwide rallies have been spurred in part by conservative social media – primarily Facebook groups and postings – and talk radio.

Health officials, backed by state and local leaders, say restrictions such as the statewide shelter-in-place order are needed to slow the spread of the virus and avoid overwhelming hospitals.

The restrictions have helped flatten the curve of infections, health officials say, saving lives. The restrictions have also caused a severe economic hit to businesses large and small, leading to record unemployment numbers.

Earlier this week, California Gov. Gavin Newsom outlined the criteria needed to modify or lift the restrictions and explore ways to reopen businesses and schools until there is herd immunity or a vaccine.

The White House has presented its own suggested guidelines for “re-opening” states, but has left the decision to individual governors.

President Donald Trump has repeatedly indicated his preference for quickly re-opening businesses.

On Friday, he offered an apparent endorsement of protesters in a series of all-caps tweets to “liberate” Minnesota, Michigan and Virginia, states where Democratic governors have faced demonstrations opposing stay-at-home orders.