A cacophony of car and truck horns, megaphones and occasional chanting swirled around the Michigan Capitol Wednesday as crowds gathered to protest an order that instructs Michigan residents to stay home to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Under the current stay-at-home order from Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in effect through April 30, gatherings of any size outside a household are prohibited, as are in-person business and activities deemed non-essential. People are urged to stay six feet apart to stop the spread of the coronavirus, which has infected 27,001 people in Michigan and killed 1,768 dead, 27,001 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Michigan.

But people are still allowed to protest, and thousands took the opportunity to do so in Lansing Wednesday as part of an “Operation Gridlock" protest. Organized by the Michigan Conservative Coalition and supported by the Michigan Freedom Fund and other conservative groups, the idea was to create a traffic jam in front of the Michigan Capitol to create gridlock.

“This is a statement to show people’s frustration,” said Meshawn Maddock, a member of the Michigan Conservative Coalition, ahead of the protest.

People were expected to drive into Lansing from all over the state, she said.

Cars and trucks lined the streets surrounding Michigan’s Capitol building, displaying flags and painted messages like “Stop Oppressive Quarantining: Bring Back Common Sense” and “Freedom Isn’t Negotiable.” Some brought their motorboats, which the administration said are not allowed under the stay-at-home order. Others drove business vehicles.

Traffic is backed up well down Michigan Avenue. Lots of honking, some getting out of cars pic.twitter.com/amLMpuYONn — Lauren Gibbons (@LaurenMGibbons) April 15, 2020

Traffic was backed up well down Michigan Avenue and other streets within a few blocks of the Capitol building in downtown Lansing.

Organizers encouraged people to protest from their cars, but a crowd began gathering on the Capitol lawn by 10 a.m. Many were not wearing masks or following social distancing guidelines recommended by the CDC.

Shelly Vanderwerff of Zeeland is currently laid off from her job at a local greenhouse. She is also trained as a pet groomer, and carried a sign on the Capitol lawn asking for the ability to do curbside pet grooming during the stay-at-home order.

She said she felt it was important to show up in person because the governor is taking away jobs, hobbies and other means of activity that could be done safely and help people who are struggling with their mental health.

“It seems like she’s not listening to petitions and calls and emails, she’s not getting how many small businesses that this really is affecting and hurting,” she said.

Vanderwerff said she’s taking personal precautions to limit the spread of COVID-19, but is concerned that Michigan’s stay-at-home measures are too extreme.

Police on scene were monitoring the crowd and traffic, but had not interfered with the protest as of 1 p.m. Police estimated between 3,000 and 4,000 people were in downtown Lansing Wednesday.

Asked about the protest during a Monday press conference, Whitmer said people are well within their rights to protest and asked those who plan to protest do so in a manner that keeps themselves and first responders safe.

It’s OK to be frustrated, and it’s OK to be angry, Whitmer said Monday, adding: “If it makes you feel better to direct it at me, that’s OK, too. I’ve got thick skin."

Whitmer also alleged the DeVos family had a hand in the protest, although event organizers and a family spokesperson said neither Betsy DeVos nor any member of the DeVos family had any involvement.

Maddock said any insinuation that the DeVos family was involved in organizing the protest is “ridiculous." She hopes Whitmer is hearing the message that people are frustrated with the stay-at-home order “loud and clear.”

“Bureaucrats will never cure a virus,” she said.

Read more on MLive:

Wednesday, April 15: Latest developments on coronavirus in Michigan

Coronavirus deaths surge again during Michigan’s second-deadliest day

Whitmer links Betsy DeVos to upcoming coronavirus stay-at-home order protest; organizers say she’s not involved

Gov. Whitmer extends executive orders on hospital capacity, virtual public meetings

Nearly a quarter of Michigan workers have filed for unemployment

Michigan’s coronavirus survivors describe battles to stay alive

PREVENTION TIPS

In addition to washing hands regularly and not touching your face, officials recommend practicing social distancing, assuming anyone may be carrying the virus.

Health officials say you should be staying at least 6 feet away from others and working from home, if possible.

Carry hand sanitizer with you, and use disinfecting wipes or disinfecting spray cleaners on frequently-touched surfaces in your home (door handles, faucets, countertops) and when you go into places like stores.