Joe.My.God. LGBT News
Lansing’s ABC News affiliate reports:
Traffic is moving slowly or not at all around the Michigan Capitol in Lansing while protesters block streets to demonstrate against coronavirus restrictions. Dozens of vehicles snarled traffic around the capitol complex to slow down travel for lawmakers and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer as part of Operation Gridlock.
The protesters are upset about Whitmer’s extended “Stay Home, Stay Safe” order, which placed new restrictions on residents and businesses through the end of April.
The Michigan Conservative Coalition organized Wednesday’s demonstration outside the capitol. The organization, along with Republican lawmakers, are seeking looser restrictions that will put more people back to work.
Detroit’s Fox affiliate reports:
The protest was supposed to start at noon but people were already packing the roads by 9 a.m. and hundreds of people were standing in front of the Capitol and not social distancing, despite the Facebook event page requesting they stay in their cars.
More drivers were jammed on Capitol Ave, where the one-way three-lane road was bumper to bumper for several miles north of the Capitol.
FOX 2’s Charlie Langton was social distancing among the crowd who told them they were not social distancing because it was their right not to do so but they understand the health crisis. They said they wish Gov. Whitmer had more faith in them not to get infected.
‘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
You can’t make this shit up.
In Michigan people are clogging the streets with their cars in protest of the stay-at-home order.
They’re calling it #OperationGridlock
If it’s safe to re-open why are they protesting from their cars??
— Joshua Potash (@JoshuaPotash) April 15, 2020
The Michigan Conservative Coalition is holding a vehicle protest to drive home opposition to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s executive orders, which have closed schools and businesses and forced residents to stay home under penalty of fine or imprisonment. https://t.co/k3TdXeMOu5
— Breitbart News (@BreitbartNews) April 15, 2020
Bumper-to-bumper traffic at Lansing exit for the West Michigan convoy headed to #OperationGridlock. Protest at the Capitol already going on. More pics from Lowell @wzzm13 pic.twitter.com/iKo4lo2dfa
— Noah Fromson (@NoahFromson) April 15, 2020
The most epic traffic jam will take place on Wed. outside the Michigan State Capitol to protest @GovWhitmer‘s extreme #COVID19 orders… including that you can’t cross the street. Over 14,000 interested attendees joining the Michigan Conservative Coalition https://t.co/yJ4Ls7Qisy pic.twitter.com/GaKqnMVECr
— Victoria Coley (@VictoriaRColey) April 14, 2020
Thousands of people from all over Michigan are converging on our state Capitol today to protest the governor’s restrictive “Stay Home” order and get their voices, and car horns, heard. #OperationGridlock pic.twitter.com/bgjH4wKCUQ
— MI House Republicans (@MI_Republicans) April 15, 2020
Lots of people at #OperationGridlock left their vehicles to protest outside Michigan’s Capitol. pic.twitter.com/OvjZ5zwGBa
— Malachi Barrett (@PolarBarrett) April 15, 2020
MUST SEE: Quite a scene in Lansing, Michigan as people protest the state’s stay-at-home order. @WOODTV‘s @LeonHendrix joined @AaronNolanNews on #NexstarNation‘s morning #COVID19 #coronavirus update. pic.twitter.com/l7UkLAth3p
— Austin Kellerman (@AustinKellerman) April 15, 2020
Half protest, half Trump rally is how I would characterize #OperationGridlock in Michigan. Protesters echo “Half Whit”nickname @realDonaldTrump bestowed on Gov. Whitmer, call on her to reopen the economy. pic.twitter.com/ui8Y4JFVDS
— Malachi Barrett (@PolarBarrett) April 15, 2020