Armed men gather at the statehouse while others protest in their cars against Gretchen Whitmer. AFP, REUTERS Previous Next

Thousands of protesters in cars with horns honking drove around Michigan's state Capitol to protest stay-at-home orders imposed by governor Gretchen Whitmer.

Traffic around the Lansing statehouse was jammed for hours by the rally organized by the Republican-aligned Michigan Conservative Coalition to challenge the Democratic governor's social-distancing measures, among the strictest in the United States.

Michigan has faced one of the country's fastest-growing infection rates for the coronavirus, with more than 27,000 confirmed cases and nearly 1,800 deaths.

But a backlash against Whitmer's stay-at-home directive, which she last week extended through to the end of April while toughening the terms of the order.

Critics of Whitmer, widely seen as a potential running mate for presumed Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden, object to what they call inconsistencies and over-reach in her response to the crisis.

Whitmer also previously drew national attention by trading jabs with President Donald Trump over the spread of the coronavirus in her state.

The latest version of her order bars residents from traveling between homes or using motorboats, as well as retail sales of home furnishings, garden supplies or paint while leaving marijuana dispensaries open.

Michigan is one of 42 states where governors have ordered residents to remain indoors except for necessary outings like grocery shopping or doctor's visits, while closing schools, universities and non-essential businesses.

Although the restrictions have worked to curtail the spread of the virus, they also have strangled the economy, idling millions of workers, upending financial markets and leading to forecasts of a deep recession.

The debate over how and when to reopen the economy has led to friction between Trump and the states, particularly Democratic governors, whom he branded "mutineers." The boisterous but peaceful rally in Lansing drew at least 2,000 vehicles filled with protesters, horns and car radios blaring. About 100 emerged on foot - some draped in American flags or "Don't Tread on Me" banners, some wearing red Trump 2020 campaign hats.

They converged on the Capitol steps and surrounding the grounds, most without face coverings and none observing safe social-separation guidelines.

Whitmer defended the nature of her order, saying: "We have to be really aggressive here to save lives."