Police arrested protesters at a #reopenNC rally in North Carolina, where restless citizens demanded businesses in the state be allowed to reopen.
North Carolina is one of 43 states currently under a stay at home order over the coronavirus pandemic. Protesters gathered flying “Don’t Tread on Me” flags, and one person could be seen holding a sign reading “freedom isn’t free.” (RELATED: FLASHBACK: Jan. 21: Fauci Says Coronavirus ‘Not A Major Threat’ To U.S.)
The Raleigh Police Department tweeted that the protesters were in violation of Democratic North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper’s executive order, and asked them to disperse. (RELATED: How The Coronavirus Is Infecting Americans’ Civil Liberties)
The protestors are in violation of the Governor’s Executive Order and have been asked to leave. #ReopenNC pic.twitter.com/AIEetS42NE
— Raleigh Police (@raleighpolice) April 14, 2020
At least one person at the rally was arrested, according to local investigative reporter Jonah Kaplan, who estimated that over 100 people attended the rally in total.
NEW: At least one person now under arrest by @raleighpolice for refusing to leave #ReopenNC demonstration outside @ncleg. At its height, there were probably 100+ people at the tailgate-style rally. @ABC11_WTVD @ABC @ABCPolitics #coronavirusNC #StayAtHome #abc11 pic.twitter.com/so9ZIzzqpY
— Jonah Kaplan (@KaplanABC11) April 14, 2020
The rally was organized by a Facebook group known as “Reopen NC,” which now has roughly 27,000 members. Protesters could be heard blasting their car horns in front of the state capital at one point early Tuesday afternoon.
My educated guess is about 75-100 people now, with about half in their cars. Every 15 minutes or do demonstrators let loose with their horns. @ABC11_WTVD @ABC #abc1– @ABCPolitics #coronavirusNC #ReopenNC #StayAtHome pic.twitter.com/prKWSeSn3G
— Jonah Kaplan (@KaplanABC11) April 14, 2020