Protesters Gather Outside State House, Call For Non-Essential Businesses To Open
BOSTON (CBS) -- Protesters gathered outside the Massachusetts Statehouse Monday afternoon to call for non-essential businesses to reopen. The rally's organizers also called the state's stay-at-home advisory unconstitutional.
"Freedom" and "USA" chants erupted through the crowd.
"We don't want your shutdown anymore," conservative radio personality Jeff Kuhner said into a microphone. He helped organize the rally, which drew hundreds of Trump supporters.
Huge crowd outside of the MA Statehouse calling for the governor to end the lockdown and reopen businesses. State Police are controlling the crowds and managing traffic on Beacon Street. #WBZ
— Tiffany Chan (@TiffanyChanWBZ) May 4, 2020
Lots of people standing close together with no mask on. pic.twitter.com/CkvAMYBYPJ
"The only thing that [Gov. Charlie] Baker is doing by keeping the businesses from opening is causing more people to become victims by losing their jobs, losing their businesses," said attendee Louis Murray. "If you want to wear a mask, you can wear a mask. We're Americans, we're individualists."
A woman added, "We are all essential, not just you, Governor Baker."
Last week, Gov. Charlie Baker announced non-essential businesses would remain closed until at least May 18. The stay-at-home advisory and ban on gatherings of more than 10 people are also scheduled to end the same day.