ANTI-LOCKDOWN PROTESTERS OCCUPY THE MICHIGAN CAPITOL BUILDING

When the novel Corona virus began sweeping over the United States a mass wave of panic and fear spread with it. After the store shelves were emptied, the streets soon followed as Governors began shutting down their states in a scramble to slow the body count that was rapidly rising. Michigan as well as every other state shut down all business and travel, restricted social gatherings, and cancelled all upcoming events from sports to celebrations. In the beginning many embraced the measures taken by their state. There was a sense of unity. In April though what had been a quite murmur of a few became a loud holler in a growing crowd. As unemployment reached staggering new heights protests against the lockdown orders swelled. In Lansing, Michigan armed protesters joined with members of various militias to protest the lockdown order and what they saw as an abuse of power by governor Gretchen Whitmer. The protesters entered the state capitol as the lawmakers were debating an extension of the lockdown order issued by Gretchen Whitmer. Boiling with anger, protesters and militia members, some armed, stood outside the senate chambers and demanded the lockdown extension be blocked. Despite both chambers of the republican controlled state congress objecting to the extension, Governor Gretchen Whitmer issued and executive order extending the lockdown. In October 2020, 14 men were arrested for plotting to kidnap and otherwise over throw the Michigan State Government, among those arrested were several militia members who had taken part in the protest.

An anti-lockdown protester armed with an assault rifle and bulletproof vest engages in a staredown with a police officer after armed protesters entered the Michigan Capitol Building in Lansing Michigan on Thursday, April 30. After a little over a month of nation-wide stay at home orders issued by state governors to combat Coronavirus, anti-lockdown protests erupted across the country. In Lansing, Michigan, protesters including armed militia members occupied the state capitol to protest Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer extending the state of emergency declaration and urging lawmakers to re-open Michigan.

An armed member of a Michigan militia runs down the stairs shouting at police officers near the senate chamber of the Michigan Capitol Building in Lansing, Michigan on Thursday, April 30. After Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced she would be seeking to extend the state of emergency declaration and continue the stay at home order to combat Coronavirus, protesters, some armed with guns, entered the state capitol to urge her and lawmakers to re-open Michigan.

A child watches as members of a Michigan militia prepare to enter the Michigan Capitol Building in Lansing, Michigan during an anti-lockdown protest on Thursday, April 30. Protesters urging for an end to the state-wide shut down due to Coronavirus entered the Capitol Building and occupied the area outside the senate chamber urging for Governor Gretchen Whitmer and Michigan lawmakers to re-open the state.

A milita member shouts “You just remember you work for us! Enjoy your paycheck while you still get it!” at Michigan senate members during a senate session at the Capitol Building in Lansing, Michigan on Thursday, April 30. Protesters, some armed, held a series of large protests calling for an end to the state-wide lockdown implemented by Governor Gretchen Whitmer to combat the spread of Coronavirus. After she announced she would be seeking to extend the lockdown protesters occupied the Capitol Building.

A large crowd of anti-lockdown protesters, some armed and some from various militia groups in Michigan, occupy the area outside the senate chamber in the Michigan Capitol Building in Lansing, Michigan during a protest calling for an end to the state-wide lockdown in Michigan.

Anti-lockdown protesters, some armed with assault rifles and military grade equipment, chant slogans and deman Michigan re-open outside of the senate chamber at the Michigan Capitol Building in Lansing, Michigan on Thursday, April 30. As the nation’s economy continued to worsen and unemployment numbers climbed high, many states saw mass protests for calling for states to re-open despite the continued threat of spreading Coronavirus. In Michigan protesters and militia members occupied the capitol and demanded Governor Gretchen Whitmer re-open the state and not extend the emergency declaration.

An anti-lockdown protester watches the senate meeting underway on a television in the Michigan Capitol Building during a large anti-lockdown protest during which armed protesters and militia members occupied the area just outside the Senate chamber on Thursday, April 30 in Lansing, Michigan.

An armed member of a Michigan Militia group stands in the main rotunda of the Michigan Capitol Building as anti-lockdown protesters occupy the area outside the Senate Chamber during a large protest against Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s plan to extend the state-wide lockdown to curb the spread of Coronavirus on Thursday, April 30 in Lansing, Michigan.

Members of an unnamed Michigan Militia group talk amongst themselves outside the Senate Chamber as they wait for the Senate Session to begin at the Michigan Capitol Building on Thursday, April 30 in Lansing, Michigan. A large number of protesters, some of them armed, went on to enter and occupy the capitol building in a call for Governor Gretchen Whitmer to end the state-wide Lockdown Order issued to stop the spread of Coronavirus.

An anti-lockdown protester walks past American Flags and signs as he exits the Michigan Capitol Building after armed protesters and militia occupied the building in a call for Governor Gretchen Whitmer to end the state-wide Lockdown Order issued to stop the spread of Coronavirus on Thursday, April 30 in Lansing, Michigan.