United States has witnessed 738,923 COVID-19 cases and 39,015 fatalities. As the epicentre of novel coronavirus started shifting from Europe to the US, large parts of the country were put under strict lock-downs, which largely hampered economic activities.
As President Trump claimed that the virus cases in the country have peaked, demonstrations are taking place in several places, to lift restrictions and re-open economy.
Coronavirus demonstrations in the United States
On Saturday, in Texas, a Republican-ruled state, over 250 demonstrators gathered outside the State Capitol in Austin, AFP reported. The protesters clearly did not follow social distancing protocols, important to curb the spread of COVID-19. Among the demonstrators was far-right conspiracy theorist Alex Jones, who demonstrated on his tank-styled truck.
Reopen America protest in Austin, TX.
— Savanah Hernandez (@sav_says_) April 18, 2020
Hundreds in attendance from all over Texas, rallying to reopen the economy. pic.twitter.com/f9eE6TxE6T
Alex Jones in his InfoTank at Open Texas Rally. pic.twitter.com/LYjveNpVYv
— Carlos Quervo (@TexMexPatriot) April 18, 2020
Similar demonstrations were witnessed in New Hampshire, another state governed by Republicans. At Annapolis, Maryland, demonstrators honked their horns, as a sign of protest. Hundreds of US flag wielding protesters gathered in Columbus, Ohio, demanding lockdowns to be lifted. Similar demonstrations were witnessed in San Diego, California.
DRIVE-BY PROTEST: Demonstrators in Annapolis, Maryland honk their horns while driving through the city to protest Maryland's #coronavirus restrictions pic.twitter.com/f2hFvHvkmU
— QuickTake by Bloomberg (@QuickTake) April 18, 2020
Today in Columbus: pic.twitter.com/pQCZpCwPxY
— jar (@20jar02) April 18, 2020
Protest in downtown San Diego. Massive drive-by and about a hundred+ folks on the street and around the corner. pic.twitter.com/qqUKVuDhgQ
— Justin Hart (@justin_hart) April 18, 2020
San Diego protest for freedom April 18, 2020 pic.twitter.com/2OlG7KjKHX
— Robert Brown (@OEIAFILMS) April 18, 2020
Trump supports the lifting of restrictions
In numerous tweets and press briefings, President Donald Trump has called for uplifting restrictions, that were put in place to halt the deadly contagion from spreading. In a series of tweets on Friday, Trump wrote: "LIBERATE MINNESOTA", "LIBERATE MICHIGAN" and "LIBERATE VIRGINIA."
The above series of tweets garnered intense criticism from Washington Governor Jay Inslee, who in a series of tweets urged "political leaders to speak out firmly against the president's calls for rebellion."
"His unhinged rantings and calls for people to "liberate" states could also lead to violence," the governor wrote.
The president’s statements this morning encourage illegal and dangerous acts. He is putting millions of people in danger of contracting COVID-19.
— Governor Jay Inslee (@GovInslee) April 17, 2020
His unhinged rantings and calls for people to “liberate†states could also lead to violence. We’ve seen it before. 1/7
Speaking about the anti-lockdown protests at his Saturday's press briefing, Trump said: "I just think that some of the governors have gotten carried away" and imposed "unreasonable" restrictions. Due to 2020 being the election year, Trump has called for uplifting restrictions to limit the damage to the US economy, as the issue features prominently in his re-election bid.
President Trump: "There are a lot of protests out there and I just think that some of the governors have gotten carried away." pic.twitter.com/mlvV1YuZKj
— The Hill (@thehill) April 18, 2020
