Pro-Trump Group Gathers Thousands In Drive-By Protest Of Michigan’s Stay-At-Home Order

Whitmer, a Democrat, signed one of the most restrictive stay-at-home orders in the nation last week, which includes a ban on traveling to visit friends or relatives in their homes, to visiting in-state vacation residences, and to purchasing certain items not deemed necessary, like paint, carpet, plants and other gardening equipment. 

The protest, known as Operation Gridlock, was estimated to number in the thousands of people by the Detroit Free Press, and was organized by Michigan Conservative Coalition, a pro-Trump political action group.

While most people remained in their cars, some protestors got out and held signs on the Capitol lawn, in violation of social distancing guidelines.

Republicans criticized the order as going too far, with GOP state Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey accusing the governor of “DESTROYING OUR HEALTH BY KILLING OUR LIVELIHOODS” in a post on Facebook, as others argued the state’s rural counties should be exempt from the restrictions.

Whitmer, who has been floated as a possible pick to be Joe Biden’s running mate, says the strict restrictions are needed to slow the spread of the virus, including to rural areas not equipped to handle a surge in hospital patients.

Michigan has the fourth highest number of coronavirus cases in the country with more than 27,000.