LANSING, Mich. – A large group of demonstrators – many not wearing masks and some carrying rifles on their shoulders – crowded into the lobby outside the state House chambers Thursday,…
LANSING, Mich. – A large group of demonstrators – many not wearing masks and some carrying rifles on their shoulders – crowded into the lobby outside the state House chambers Thursday, shouting to be allowed onto the House floor, during a protest at the Capitol against Michigan’s state of emergency.
Michigan State Police troopers, wearing face masks, formed a line between the demonstrators and the entrance to the House floor, which is off-limits to the general public.
« Let us in, » the protesters shouted, in some cases within a few inches of the police officers’ faces.
At least one state senator expressed worry when she saw demonstrators shouting and carrying firearms in the public gallery.
« Directly above me, men with rifles yelling at us, » Democratic state Sen. Dayna Polehanki posted on Twitter, along with a photo. « Some of my colleagues who own bullet proof vests are wearing them. I have never appreciated our Sergeants-at-Arms more than today. »
Open carry of firearms is allowed both on Capitol grounds and inside the Capitol, said Lt. Brian Oleksyk of the Michigan State Police.
“There’s always a risk, but we were prepared for it, » he said. « People are allowed to exercise their right to freedom of speech and their right to open carry. We always kept an eye on it.”
He said « people were just venting their frustrations in a loud manner » outside the House chamber, but « once they were able to do that… people were pleasant and polite.”
Earlier, a few hundred demonstrators gathered under light rain outside the Capitol, urging lawmakers not to extend Michigan’s state of emergency related to the coronavirus pandemic.
They carried signs that read « Impeach Whitmer, » « You’re Killing Small Businesses, » and « Liberty or Death. » Many also wore hats or carried other paraphernalia touting Republican President Donald Trump and his 2020 reelection campaign.
The demonstrators got their wish in that the Republican-controlled Legislature did not vote to extend Michigan’s state of emergency, as requested by Democratic Gov.
