Hundreds of people openly defied a ban on mass gatherings and federal safety guidelines during a demonstration Monday against Pennsylvania’s coronavirus lockdown order.
Protesters rallied in front of the state Capitol in Harrisburg, where they crowded together on the steps and sidewalk in defiance of social distancing guidelines, recklessly dismissing their own health risk and the risk to others — many without even face masks, according to video posted on social media.
Some waved American and Revolutionary-era Gadsden, or “Don’t Tread on Me,” flags, wore Trump campaign gear and held hand-lettered signs that said “SOME PEOPLE WANT TO WORK” and attacked Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf as a “tyrant.”
Motorists also led a caravan of vehicles — many festooned with American and pro-Trump flags — past the protesters, honking their horns to cheers and applause.
Republican state Sen. Doug Mastriano, a retired US Army colonel, told those assembled that it was a “great day be an American in Pennsylvania” before leading them in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.
“It heartens me to see my brothers and sisters across the state here, coming together here to fight this tyranny, this overreach,” said Mastriano, who wore a white shirt and red tie.
“Never before in the history of this commonwealth has a governor exercised so much power…It’s time to roll that back.”
The protest was among several scheduled in state capitals on Monday, following others staged in recent days.
Meanwhile, Wolf announced moves toward reopening the Keystone State’s economy, saying he would ease restrictions on building construction starting May 8 and also sign online-notary legislation that will allow online vehicle sales, The Associated Press reported.
“We are taking small steps toward regaining a degree of normalcy in Pennsylvania,” Wolf said.
