Hundreds of people gathered outside the Michigan State Capitol in Lansing Friday afternoon to rally against COVID-19 vaccine mandates.
Many of them cheered when Pastor Jason Georges, a board member for Stand Up Michigan, took the stage. Stand Up Michigan is a political group that's also criticized mask rules and lockdown orders.
“You are here because you are against the government and academic institutions and corporations forcing you to inject something into your body against your will," Georges told the crowd.
President Joe Biden recently required civilian federal workers to get vaccinated against the coronavirus or face testing and mask requirements.
The state of Michigan, the biggest employer in the city of Lansing, hasn't mandated COVID-19 vaccines. Michigan State University, Lansing's second largest employer, says all students, faculty and staff must be fully vaccinated against the disease by the end of August.
The U.S. Equal Opportunity Commission says employers can mandate vaccines as long workers don’t have a conflicting disability or religious belief.