LANSING, MI -- Protestors upset with Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s stay-at-home order rallied outside the governor’s residence in Lansing on Thursday, waving signs and making speeches about why they want the state economy to reopen.

Videos shared on Facebook by organizers of the rally showed a couple dozen ralliers outside the home.

The protest was announced earlier this week, but was not as well attended as last week’s Operation Gridlock at the Michigan Capitol and in downtown Lansing. Ahead of the rally, Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey, R-Clarklake, spoke out against the protest, saying that while he supports the protesters’ cause, demonstrating outside someone’s home is not helpful.

I am hearing today of another organized protest to express growing, and in many many cases deserved anger and... Posted by Senator Mike Shirkey on Thursday, April 23, 2020

“There is need now to express our opinions, concerns, and frankly, demands. But there is no need, and never should be, to threaten government leaders to the point of putting their lives at risk. No need. No space,” Shirkey wrote in a social media post. "So I stand with those protesting, and millions of others who would like to join them, but we cannot allow these protests to translate to personal threats.

“I strongly exhort those organizing the protests to limit the venue to public spaces and around government buildings. Don’t protest at homes. Even the public Governor’s residence. It is indeed public property. But the adjacent properties and neighborhood are not.”

Among the organizers of Thursday’s protest was Rob Cortis, known for his traveling “Trump Unity Bridge.”

During a livestream on his Facebook page, Cortis interviewed a handful of people attending the protest who shared stories of how the order has impacted their lives. Some called for Whitmer to be removed from office while others simply said they just wanted to get back to work.

“They won’t shut us us down," said Brandon Hall, an organizer of the demonstration." ... We’re telling Gretchen Whitmer to open Michigan now and we’re asking her ‘Why the hell don’t you work from home like you’re asking everyone else to?’”

Hall was convicted of election fraud and sentenced to a month in jail in 2018.

Another rally against Michigan’s stay-at-home order on the Capitol lawn is planned for 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, April 30.

Operation Queens Castle OPEN MICHIGAN SAFELY 2520 OXFORD RD LANSING MICHIGAN Posted by Rob Cortis on Thursday, April 23, 2020

CORONAVIRUS 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.

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