Lockdown protesters return to Michigan State Capitol

THURSDAY, April 30 — At least a few hundred protesters crowded the State Capitol lawn today as residents continue to push back against Michigan’s extended stay-at-home order.

Most demonstrators targeted Gov. Gretchen Whitmer over the largely shuttered economy. Some lanes of traffic surrounding the Capitol were clogged with honking cars. And while similar to “Operation Gridlock” that jammed up downtown Lansing April 15, today’s protest clearly garnered a smaller crowd, a larger police presence and far fewer Donald Trump signs.

But the Capitol lawn was just as crowded, if not more this time around, as demonstrators made a concerted effort to leave their vehicles, crowding and shouting at the Capitol entrance. Several spoke from an “American Patriot Rally” podium that was surrounded by men with large guns.

Curtis Udell, of Pullman, made homemade signs for the rally. Some compared “Tyrant” Whitmer to Adolph Hitler. “Live your life free,” according to another. Udell doesn’t have a job, but wants to return to his church and see every government precaution lifted immediately.

“These are personal liberties that are guaranteed under the constitution,” Udell added “Our rights are being trampled. Every state restriction needs to be lifted, all of it. This stay-at-home stuff? I’m really not concerned. I never have been. To me, the virus is a real threat, but the threat that they’re making out of this is bogus. To me, this is nothing more than a power grab.”

Phillip Cotter, of Clio, took a day off from his essential job to come to the protest. He sat near the Capitol in lawn chairs with Dianne Ruhlandt, of Detroit, with coolers, snacks, American Flags and a commemorative shirt from the rally this month: “I survived Operation Gridlock.”

“The government does not have the right to tell us what to do. The Constitution restricts the government’s power over the people,” Ruhlandt explained. “We are willing, in times of emergency, to give up those rights but they have to be limited in scope and not be over broad.”

Whitmer refused yesterday to relegate her executive powers to the State Legislature to declare and extend a state of emergency, rejecting a proposal from Senate Majority Leader Mike Shrikey to extend her state of emergency by two weeks in exchange for more legislative input.

“We don’t have time for politics and games when people’s lives are on the line,” Whitmer said.

Whitmer had requested state lawmakers extend Michigan’s state of emergency, the executive lever from which empowers her emergency orders, by another 28 days. That declaration legislatively expires tomorrow unless lawmakers agree sometime today to extend the measure.

If lawmakers fail to act on a formal extension today, there is debate over whether Whitmer’s existing executive orders, like the statewide lockdown on nonessential businesses, will still be enforceable. Whitmer has maintained that she carries that unilateral authority under state law.

Many Republicans, including several at today’s demonstration, feel differently, arguing that without legislative approval, the emergency declaration and all related orders would be voided. A speaker today told the crowd that the lockdown would be nullified without further action.

Dozens of protesters chanted “lock her up” in response.

Ultimately, however, it’s a battle that’ll likely be resolved in a courtroom if Whitmer, Shirkey and House Speaker Lee Chatfield are unable to reach a resolution. Meanwhile, the general public could be stuck in a confusing limbo state without a unified governmental message.

“We remain in a state of emergency until the order is rescinded,” Whitmer said at a press conference yesterday afternoon. “I do not have any intention of rescinding that right now.”

Both chambers adjourned yesterday without an extension to the state’s emergency declaration. They were also meeting again today as the latest protest assembled in front of the State Capitol.

“We’ve done what they asked us to do: Stay home and stay safe. I’ve been doing it. I know how to follow authority. The curve has flattened and we’ve done our part. Now is the time to set people free,” explained Rene Knight, a 48-year-old protestor who drove today from Muskegon.

“I understand the reasoning for opening back up a little at a time. I think we’re smart enough now. We’ve had two months of this stuff drilled into our heads,” Knight said. “I’m sick and tired of being demeaned like I don’t know how to use a Lysol wipe at a gas pump.”

Today’s demonstration also triggered a larger response from law enforcement. Several officers with both the Michigan State Police and the Lansing Police Department were clearly visible.

The Capitol lawn is under the jurisdiction of the Michigan State Police. The Lansing Police Department will assist if requested and continue to have its officers monitor the surrounding Capitol block. Other area agencies have also been asked to provide assistance if it’s needed.

City officials had said those participating in today’s demonstration were expected to follow social distancing guidelines and not to impede traffic flow. If those laws are violated, officers would “take appropriate enforcement actions proportionate to the situation,” they explained.

And while Lansing Mayor Andy Schor said he was “disappointed” that more protests had been planned, it’s unclear whether any of the clear social distancing violations spotted today netted warnings or misdemeanor charges. City Pulse will check back with local police after the protest.

Staff writer Cole Tunningley contributed to this report.