More than a hundred protesters gather at Michigan Capitol to urge reopening

More than 100 protesters showed up to the state Capitol in Lansing, Mich., on Thursday to protest the state’s ongoing stay-at-home order implemented by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D).

A photo overlooking the crowd taken by state Rep. Kyra Harris Bolden (D) showed dozens of protesters standing with umbrellas on a rainy Michigan morning, some of whom did not appear to be observing the requirements for residents to stay at least six feet apart to prevent spreading the coronavirus.

For those wondering what’s going on at the Capitol today. We were called into session with NO agenda. We don’t know how long we will be in Lansing and this pic.twitter.com/i0g4saVvv0

— Kyra Harris Bolden (@KyraHBolden) April 30, 2020

Michigan’s House and Senate are in session Thursday to debate whether to extend Whitmer’s order, which has been the target of multiple protests by conservative groups in the state. A previous protest on Wednesday inside the Capitol ended with protesters being removed by police.

Protestors forcefully removed from House gallery, which is closed to public today to allow for space to be given to members and press. pic.twitter.com/3ZVsa13oik

— MIRSnews.com (@MIRSnews) April 29, 2020

Some Michigan residents filed suit against Whitmer over the order, but the state’s Court of Claims found Wednesday that the order did not violate the law.

“Although the Court is painfully aware of the difficulties of living under the restrictions of these executive orders, those difficulties are temporary, while to those who contract the virus and cannot recover (and to their family members and friends), it is all too permanent,” read the ruling.