(WWJ) Large and raucous crowds showed up in Michigan's capital Wednesday for what organizers are calling "Operation Gridlock."

People — in their cars, on sidewalks, lawns and on the Capitol steps — gathered to protest Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's "Stay Home, Stay Safe" executive order. Organizers of the rally want some of the restrictions eased, and the state economy re-started.

WWJ Newsradio 950's Charlie Langton reported it appeared thousands of people were in attendance; the lineup of cars for the protest extended for miles outside Lansing.

A loud protest in front of the State Capitol in Lansing- many not happy with @GovWhitmer and her Executive Orders. @WWJ950 @FOX2News pic.twitter.com/xuv2Ab4oU4 — Charlie Langton (@charlielangton) April 15, 2020

What's it all about? As debate rages about the intersecting priorities of public health and economic vitality, the Michigan Conservative Coalition called on fed up Michiganders to form a convoy with their vehicles, display signs, make noise and be disruptive.

Those taking part were urged stay in their vehicle and practice safe hygiene. "Cars should be filled with only members of your immediate family. No carpooling since gas is cheap!" organizers told supporters, in a news release. "Stay in your vehicle so that the 'Whitmer police' cannot say you are ignoring the 'social distancing' order."

However, reporting from the scene, Langton said plenty of participants were outside their cars and were clearly not concerned about social distancing.

"Many people are not observing the six feet between people rule, and very few have masks on," Langton said. "I asked them why that is, and they say they have freedom. They don't want to pass the virus, but they believe that the governor should have more faith in them to do what they believe is right."

'GOVERNOR, OPEN OUR ECONOMY ON MAY 1 AND RESPECT OUR RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS.'



Wild scene in Lansing, Michigan as hundreds of people protest the state's stay-at-home order.



Team coverage from @WOODTV's @_HeatherWalker and @LeonHendrix. pic.twitter.com/CySg9Y6Nx8 — Austin Kellerman (@AustinKellerman) April 15, 2020

Organizers are protesting, among other things, what they say is irregularity in the rules that allows "dope shops" to stay open while "cigar shops" are closed. They're upset that the order applies to all of Michigan, instead of just hotspots like metro Detroit, and argue that amid a pandemic citizens can be trusted to keep themselves safe. “When did one size solve everyone’s local issues?" an organizer of the protest asked. "Governor Whitmer will put you out of business before allowing mere citizens to be responsible for their own behavior. That is madness.”

Meshawn Maddock, Chair of the 11th District Republican Committee and an organizer of the road rally noted that, "numerous outdoor jobs like landscaping, nurseries, excavation and lawn services are shut down. Heart surgeries are banned as non-essential, but abortion clinics remain open. Construction — including some road repair — is shut down, though other neighboring states aren't doing that.

One participant told Langton the loss of jobs is his main concern.

"I have quite a few friends who work in construction, landscaping and lawn maintenance, and they can't work; yet the state can work," he said. "People can go to, you know, Walmart whenever they feel like it, and gas stations."

"The amount of people on the road, it doesn't seem like that many people are actually staying home, so it seems like we're just punishing a group of people. So I'm here to protest and get back to work."

A woman at the rally expressed a similar view. "We have bills to pay," she said. "The stores open are Walmart? That's ridiculous; that's why we're here."

Also raising some ire: Easter and Passover services were effectively canceled by a government order. "The madness needs to end before Michigan’s freedoms and economy are damaged beyond repair by power hungry bureaucrats," the group said.

Organizers are urging those who support the effort to reopen the economy despite warnings of potential ill effect on public health to call your Michigan Representative, or Senator or even the Capitol. "We will remind the globalist elites in Lansing that it is a citizen’s right to make a complaint to, or seek the assistance of, one’s government without fear of punishment or reprisal," the group said.

This is the scene outside the MI Capitol in Lansing this morning as demonstrators arrive for a vehicle-based demonstration against the stay-at-home order. #coronavirus #migov pic.twitter.com/KKnQRr4QjI — Paul Egan (@paulegan4) April 15, 2020

Huh, I guess it is a Republican protest. But what does the Confederate flag have to do with a #StayHome order? -- pic.twitter.com/qR4EX6Hw5X — Susan J. Demas -- (@sjdemas) April 15, 2020

Gov. Whitmer isn't budging on her order, in effect through April 30, which she says is science-based and designed to keep COVID-19 from spreading in Michigan.

Speaking at a news conference Wednesday afternoon, Whitmer she was disappointed to see so many congregating closely and not wearing masks.

"I saw someone handing out candy to little kids, bare-handed," the governor said. "You know, when people are flying the Confederate flag and untold numbers who gassed up on the way here, or grabbed a bite on the way home...we know that this rally endangered people."

Whitmer said the "sad irony" is these people were protesting because they don't like the "Stay Home" order, while at the same time creating a situation that may cause a need to lengthen it.

Whitmer has said that while she supports the right to demonstrate, she doesn't agree with this action by the Michigan Conservative Coalition. "This group is funded in large part by the DeVos family," the governor said, earlier this week. "And I think it's really inappropriate for a sitting members of the United States President's cabinet (Education Secretary Betsy DeVos) to be waging political tax on any governor."

"I think that they they should disavow it, and I encourage people to stay home and be safe," she added.

In response, the DeVos family issued the following statement: “Contrary to the Governor’s statements, the DeVos family hasn’t funded this protest nor has it offered prior support to the organizing entity. They understand the frustration of fellow Michiganders however, as elements of the governor’s top-down approach appear to go beyond public safety. Michigan deserves competent governance, not baseless attacks.”

Meanwhile, various Michigan physicians, nurses and other health experts on the front lines of the pandemic are voicing their support for the governor. Among them are Henry Ford Allegiance Health President and CEO Paula Autry, who said: "We fully support the governor’s decision to extend the emergency declaration."

Critical care nurse and president of the Michigan Nurses Association Jamie Brown added, "Nurses know that Governor Whitmer is taking the most responsible action possible by extending the stay at home order."