Protestors angry over Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s stay at home order are expected to hold a demonstration Monday evening in Downtown Grand Rapids. Daniel Boothe has the details.
The protest Monday is organized by American Patriot Rally, and it’s the same group of people who protested Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s stay-at-home order in Lansing on April 30th. At that demonstration, a number of protesters entered the senate public gallery, many carrying guns, and demanded to be allowed inside.
And guns should be expected at the protest Monday. According to the group’s Facebook page, organizers are calling on those in attendance to “exercise your 2nd amendment right as a show of support to law enforcement.”
Ryan Kelley is one of the event’s main organizers.
“We are creating a movement, not only for Michigan, but for the United States,” Kelley said. “A message of hope, a message of inspiration, and to get America back to work, back in business.”
Meanwhile, the Grand Rapids Police Department has no plans of shutting down the event for violating the stay at home order. On Friday, Grand Rapids Police Chief Eric Payne released this statement,
“I and our entire department fully support the right to free speech and expression,” Chief Eric Payne said. “There are expectations for those exercising that right to do so in a safe manner. This group, as with all others that hold expressive speech events in our city, will be held to that same standard.”