Name: 1,000 people protest Beshear's coronavirus rules: You are 'prisoners in your own homes'
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1,000 people protest Beshear's coronavirus rules: You are 'prisoners in your own homes'

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Louisville Courier JournalView CommentsOn the steps of the Kentucky state Capitol, Lee Watts issued a command to a&nbsp;tightly packed crowd: Take off your masks.Few in the audience&nbsp;had chosen to wear one. But as Watts kicked off a rally Saturday against Kentucky's coronavirus&nbsp;restrictions, he asked the outliers to remove any coverings from their noses and mouths."Sunshine destroys the virus," said Watts, though a federal study on sunlight's effects . "So one of the most healthy things you can be doing today is coming out here in the sunshine."Carrying American and Confederate flags, around 1,000 demonstrators gathered at the rally in Frankfort, where they denounced Gov. Andy Beshear's "arbitrary" and "unconstitutional" response to the coronavirus pandemic.Speakers at the event&nbsp;— including four state representatives and one state senator, all Republicans&nbsp;— criticized the governor for hurting workers and businesses by refusing to immediately reopen the economy.[This story is being provided for free to our readers during the coronavirus outbreak. Consider supporting local journalism by subscribing to The Courier Journal at .]&nbsp;Beshear has&nbsp;, which calls for some businesses to resume activity on May 11.But protesters said Kentucky's coronavirus outbreak has not&nbsp;warranted the extended&nbsp;closures of local businesses and public gathering places.“I’ve said for many weeks, most businesses and many of the medical service providers here in the commonwealth could have honored the (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's)&nbsp;recommended guidelines and stayed open from day one," said Rep. Kim King of Harrodsburg."But this governor would rather choose winners and losers."Ahead of the rally, demonstrators lined the steps of the building, where a bluegrass band played in front of the main entrance.Several protesters&nbsp;wore military-style gear and carried guns, while others held signs that read "My rights &gt; your fears" and referred to the governor as "Adolf Beshear."Below a podium, an X-ray technician wearing scrubs and a mask stood in silent protest of the gathering. Several attendees holding signs moved to block her as speeches began, while others screamed insults at her.Kentucky coronavirus updates:The technician, who is from Louisville but declined to give her name or place of work, said she came to Frankfort because "there are so many things that people don't understand about what's going on around them at a biological level.""This mask isn't protecting me. It's protecting you," she said. "And their rights don't include the right to kill their neighbors. I want the country to open up, too, but I want it to be safe."State Rep. Savannah Maddox, a Republican from Dry Ridge, disagreed.Maddox said Kentucky's government has made residents "prisoners in your own homes" by restricting where they can and can't go."It's your health. You have every right to be here, and don't let anyone tell you differently," she said, adding that "nobody's ever going to force me to get a vaccine."Maddox also defended fellow speaker Jack Roberts, pastor of Maryville Baptist Church, who has continued to host in-person Sunday services in Bullitt County.At the rally, Roberts energized the crowd by announcing that a judge had ruled in his favor in a case against Beshear, saying the governor could not prevent his congregation from meeting together.He told the audience not to believe what local media reported on the judgment.On Saturday, the&nbsp;6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals from holding drive-in worship services during the coronavirus pandemic.But the three-judge panel declined to extend the injunction to in-person services at the&nbsp;church, noting it was not comfortable doing so after being given the case 24 hours earlier.Read more:"The government cannot tell you that you can't have church," Roberts said Saturday.Lexington Rep. Stan Lee echoed Roberts' sentiments, calling Beshear a "hypocrite" for deeming abortion clinics&nbsp;essential businesses, but not churches."It's distressing and disappointing that we have a governor that will shut down the state to quote save lives, then will veto the born-alive bill," Lee said, referring to an abortion bill the .Todd Calvert, 54, of Louisville, said he attended the rally because he felt like Beshear's actions have been "unconstitutional.""He does not have the right to keep us from working and making a living, especially since he can't get the unemployment system fixed," the fashion stylist said. "There are thousands of people across the commonwealth that are not getting paid these days because he can't get them paid."Protesters have on to object to Beshear's orders, including .That day, demonstrators also put pressure on Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron to rein in what they said was Beshear's grasp on the state.Maddox said the protests have been the first time Kentuckians' voices were heard during one of Beshear's nightly briefings.And though Beshear had announced earlier in the week that he would not hold a press conference that night, Maddox said he'd have to listen to the group's concerns."He may not be here and he may not be hearing you in this moment, but he's going to hear what you have to say," she said.Read this:Reporters Ben Tobin and Joe Sonka contributed to this report. Reach reporter Bailey Loosemore at&nbsp;, 502-582-4646 or on Twitter .&nbsp;Support strong local journalism by subscribing today: .The Courier Journal has created an online form where readers can share questions, concerns and stories about the coronavirus outbreak.Using your phone? View Comments

Louisville Courier JournalView CommentsOn the steps of the Kentucky state Capitol, Lee Watts issued a command to a&nbsp;tightly packed crowd: Take off your masks.Few in the audience&nbsp;had chosen to wear one. But as Watts kicked off a rally Saturday against Kentucky's coronavirus&nbsp;restrictions, he asked the outliers to remove any coverings from their noses and mouths."Sunshine destroys the virus," said Watts, though a federal study on sunlight's effects . "So one of the most healthy things you can be doing today is coming out here in the sunshine."Carrying American and Confederate...

1,000 people protest Beshear's coronavirus rules: You are 'prisoners in your own homes'

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