BROOKFIELD – Nearly a thousand people packed the sidewalk adjacent Bluemound Road in Brookfield on Saturday afternoon to protest Gov. Tony Evers’ decision to extend Wisconsin’s safer-at-home order until May 26.

Some wore masks and elected to participate in the parking lots while the majority stood shoulder to shoulder on the sidewalk waving and cheering at passing cars whose drivers honked or displayed signs in solidarity.

Occasionally, Brookfield police slowly drove by to remind people to stay off the street and police and Brookfield Square security vehicles were present in the parking lots, but groups of children, teenagers and adults were peaceful.

Many in the protest brought American and Gadsden flags along with homemade signs, with the bulk calling for the reopening of churches, the parks and the state economy. There were signs and T-shirts protesting Evers directly, along with Donald Trump and Mike Pence 2020 campaign signs, flags and bumper stickers.

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Former Wisconsin State Rep. Don Pridemore had a campaign vehicle on site, as he is running for State Senate in the 13th district. Brookfield Party Rental stationed three trucks along the sidewalk in one parking lot in support of the protest, with signs on one truck dashboard calling for the recall of Evers and the opening of the state.

For Paul Matson of Menomonee Falls, that was why he was at the protest.

“It’s time to open something,” he said. “This isn’t common throughout the state. It’s common in Milwaukee. It’s common in Madison. Lock them down. I don’t need to be locked down. I can be respectful. I have a mask in my car. If I go shopping I’m wearing it. I have hand sanitizer. I’m washing my hands. No reason for all this over-reaction.”

Matson was one of the protesters who chose to participate by staying off the sidewalk and was without facial protection but did feel there has been an over-reporting of the disease to hurt the President.

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Most signage called for a re-opening of businesses, though others did question the validity of the pandemic and the lack of testing and medicine.

“My concern is about the cost of the precautions that the government’s dictating, that it’s out of proportion with the threat of the virus,” said Lawrence Sullivan of Juneau. “I think the threat of people catching the virus and getting sick here is something they can make a determination on, as to what the level of risk they’re willing to take is.”

A married couple from New Berlin who wished to not disclose their names attended with masks and joined the group on the sidewalk.

“It is happening – COVID-19 is out there and we have to be cautious – but I think as far as businesses are concerned I think that should be a personal decision,” said the woman. “I think it’s just a decision people should be able to make on their own. And if you come down with it and you die, well then that’s on you. It’s a decision that you have to make. If I die because I came here today, well, I guess...”

She shrugged.

“I guess I said my piece. We’re retired. Social security and fortunately have a pension as well. But there’s a lot of people who are really struggling out there. The disease is real and so is what’s happening to people that don’t have COVID-19 and to their livelihood.”