Name: Scores gather in Huntington Beach to protest coronavirus stay-at-home orders
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Scores gather in Huntington Beach to protest coronavirus stay-at-home orders

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By | , | and | Orange County RegisterShow Caption ofScores of protesters defying stay-at-home orders gathered in downtown Huntington Beach on Friday, rallying for an end to restrictions on businesses and public gatherings that health officials say are needed to save lives during the coronavirus pandemic.Mobilized largely through social-media posts, several dozens of protesters gathered at Main Street and Walnut Avenue shortly before 1 p.m. The crowd grew to more than 200 people, according to police.Many had signs, such as “Live free or die.” Some wore masks. The group periodically chanted “U.S.A” as some passing vehicles honked in support.In a posting on social media Friday evening, Huntington Beach police said that while the protest was peaceful, it could have escalated into something more dangerous.“While the department worked to get enough resources there to manage the protest effectively, the people at the location began violating some of our local ordinances regarding public assembly including walking in the middle of the street and carrying signs with large sticks that could be used as weapons,” the police department said on Facebook. “Once we had sufficient officers in place, they utilized great restraint in dealing with circumstances that could have escalated into significant police action.”Police contacted the organizers of the protest and eventually dispersed the majority of the crowd without incident. No arrests were reported.Nicole Brown, 50, of Costa Mesa, said she sympathizes with those who have the virus and understands why some might want to quarantine, but she believes it should be an option.“Our freedom has been taken away from us, people are locked in their homes,” she said.Some protesters leaned political; there were Trump banners. Others lamented the impact on daily lives, including a man wearing a Cowboys jersey and bandanna and holding a sign that said, “Save football, wear a mask.”One protester, wearing a mock white CDC suit, held a sign describing the coronavirus as a “lie.”Paula Doyle, 62, of Costa Mesa was one of the first to arrive. She said she came out because she felt the shutdown was aiding in the widespread panic of the pandemic.“I just want to go back to normal,” Doyle said of the stay at home orders. “I don’t think there’s a reason for this.”Some residents passing through the area during the rally disagreed with the protesters’ push to immediately end the stay-at-home restrictions.“We really have to trust the process,” said Lance Siegal, a Huntington Beach resident. “We have to trust the medical professionals for the final say. They’re the ones who are seeing this on the front lines.”The local gathering followed large-scale rallies earlier in the week in Michigan, Kentucky and North Carolina, as well as expected protests planned in Texas, Oregon and other parts of California.The nationwide rallies have been spurred in part by conservative social media – primarily Facebook groups and postings – and talk radio.Protesters take to the corner of Main and Walnut in to protest closures.— Jeff Gritchen 🇺🇸 (@jeffgritchen)Health officials, backed by state and local leaders, say restrictions such as the statewide shelter-in-place order are needed to slow the spread of the virus and avoid overwhelming hospitals.The restrictions have helped flatten the curve of infections, health officials say, saving lives. The restrictions have also caused a severe economic hit to businesses large and small, leading to record unemployment numbers.Earlier this week, California Gov. Gavin Newsom outlined the criteria needed to modify or lift the restrictions and explore ways to reopen businesses and schools until there is herd immunity or a vaccine.The White House has presented its own suggested guidelines for “re-opening” states, but has left the decision to individual governors.Protesters take to the corner of Walnut and Main Street in Beach as they protest— Jeff Gritchen 🇺🇸 (@jeffgritchen)President Donald Trump has repeatedly indicated his preference for quickly re-opening businesses.On Friday, he offered an apparent endorsement of protesters in a series of all-caps tweets to “liberate” Minnesota, Michigan and Virginia, states where Democratic governors have faced demonstrations opposing stay-at-home orders.We invite you to use our commenting platform to engage in insightful conversations about issues in our community. We reserve the right at all times to remove any information or materials that are unlawful, threatening, abusive, libelous, defamatory, obscene, vulgar, pornographic, profane, indecent or otherwise objectionable to us, and to disclose any information necessary to satisfy the law, regulation, or government request. We might permanently block any user who abuses these conditions.Get the latest news delivered daily!Follow UsMost PopularClose

By | , | and | Orange County RegisterShow Caption ofScores of protesters defying stay-at-home orders gathered in downtown Huntington Beach on Friday, rallying for an end to restrictions on businesses and public gatherings that health officials say are needed to save lives during the coronavirus pandemic.Mobilized largely through social-media posts, several dozens of protesters gathered at Main Street and Walnut Avenue shortly before 1 p.m. The crowd grew to more than 200 people, according to police.Many had signs, such as “Live free or die.” Some wore masks. The group periodically chanted...

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Crime and Courts reporter for the Orange County Register and the Southern California News Group

Scores gather in Huntington Beach to protest coronavirus stay-at-home orders

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