BROOKFIELD, WI — A group of protesters ranging from several hundred to more than one thousand people gathered along Bluemound Road in Brookfield on Saturday to protest the extension of Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers’ “Safer At Home” order.
“I understand the fear but we have to take the chance cause if this country, and our state, doesn’t get back to work we’re going to go into a deep, deep recession or depression,” said Carol Greco, protester,in a CBS 58 report.
Sign up for Patch alerts and daily newsletters. Don’t miss local and statewide news about coronavirus developments and precautions.
Gov. Evers extended what is effectively the state’s stay-at-home order until May 26. Protesters who lined the main thoroughfare in Brookfield were seen waving American flags to passing cars. Observers reported many in the group were not following social distancing guidelines which recommends standing at least six feat apart in order to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
According to multiple reports, protesters held up signs reading “I want my church and freedoms back,” “freedom is essential” and “furlough Evers.”
The extension was pilloried by Republican lawmakers in Wisconsin, and Assembly Speaker Robin Vos (R-Rochester) threatened a lawsuit over the stay-at-home extension.
Click Here: cheap all stars rugby jersey
Protesters gathered along Bluemound Road near Brookfield Square Mall for about two hours Saturday, and police did not issue citations to any members of the group, according to a FOX 6 report.
Others, such as Mike Hallquist, an alderman-elect in Brookfield who won his April 7 election, wrote that he supports the right to free speech, yet also expressed deep concern over the group’s gathering in close quarters over the weekend.
One observer authored the following post on Twitter, making note of a Civil War-era Confederate flag design they saw among the protesters.
Related Reading