At least 100 vehicles drove in circles around the Arizona state Capitol as part of an event to protest school and business closures under Gov. Doug Ducey's stay-at-home order to slow the spread of the new coronavirus.

The event shared a name with similar protests across the country, such as one in Michigan last week where thousands of vehicles stopped all lanes of traffic around the state Capitol to create a "gridlock" in protest.

For the Phoenix protest Sunday afternoon, people, for the most part, stayed in their vehicles as they drove slowly around Wesley Bolin Memorial Plaza at the Capitol, honked their horns, held signs and shouted protests. Some in attendance wore face masks and others displayed President Donald Trump merch.

Arizona Department of Public Safety spokesman Sgt. Kameron Lee said they estimate about 100 cars were involved and said no citations were issued and no one was arrested.

Ducey's order prevents Arizonans from leaving their residences except for food, medicine and other "essential activities" such as exercise through at least April 30.

Arizona cases of COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus, rose to 4,929, with 184 known deaths, according to new numbers released Sunday by the Arizona Department of Health Services.

Protest aims to 'reopen' economy

The protest appears to have been organized by people in the "Great 48" Facebook group, which has a listed mission that "we believe that ALL businesses are essential and we are seeking to compassionately influence the local guidelines and procedures that affect our businesses, places of work and communities!"

The group was the host of the Facebook event titled "Operation Gridlock Arizona," which said in its description, "You’re not working ... your rights and finances are being destroyed ... so it’s time to PROTEST! We do NOT consent! OPEN Arizona!"

The group's cofounders were not immediately available to give a comment. Ryan “Ryker” Martin, CEO of Arizona Autism pediatric therapy specialists, has posted that he cofounded the group and has shared multiple videos speaking to the group.

In a video posted Friday he said the "movement" is about "loving people and happiness."

"This entire movement of Great 48 is just about getting life back to normal and allowing you to have the liberties that you’ve always been promised," he said, adding that they were trying to "hold the line" for the state to reopen on May 1.

One of the most popular recent posts in the group came from George Shankool, owner of Saba’s Mediterranean Kitchen in Phoenix, who wrote about how the restriction that restaurants must serve takeout-only has hurt his business.

“We have always and will always do our part to keep our guests, our crew and our families safe. But we can't take away that freedom of choice,” Shankool told The Republic on Sunday.

He said his restaurant has seen between a 50% to 80% decrease in sales, and that he hopes the state will reopen soon without restrictions such as limited seating in restaurants or movie theaters.

“We're doing extreme measures now of cleaning, sanitizing, but the grocery stores and the young kids who are working there — you think they're taking as much care as small mom and pop places that their family will starve if they don't do things properly?” Shankool said.

LONG ENOUGH? Some Republicans argue the stay-at-home order should end

Protesters target Ducey

A handful of people stood on the sidewalk to protest, including Roger and Rhonda Gates of Queen Creek.

"I believe that this economy needs to reopen, we need to get back to work, people need to just stop living in fear," Roger told The Arizona Republic.

"Open the economy, Ducey," Roger said. "You either open it or you're fired, in the words of Trump; do what we want you to do.Your loyalty is going to be shown in your next action. You either open the economy or you're fired."

A woman holding a sign that said "Gov. Ducey do you hear us? #reopenaz" shouted out of her sunroof, "Do you hear us, governor? I voted for you! I voted for you — please reopen our state."

A spokesperson for Ducey did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

During a press conference last Tuesday, Ducey said Arizona would lead the way on reopening the economy. He also vowed to work with business leaders to prioritize ways to reopen the state's economy while following guidance from health officials.

Trump two days later issued guidelines to states aimed at easing social distancing restrictions and reopening parts of the country. Some of Trump's own experts are warning that reopening too soon will lead to more spikes in coronavirus cases.

A flyer circulating online says another protest is planned outside the Capitol on Monday afternoon,although Martin said in the video that Great 48 is not affiliated with that event.

James Carr contributed to this story.

Reach the reporter at chelsea.curtis@arizonarepublic.com or follow her on Twitter @curtis_chels.

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