Scores of people gather in Huntington Beach to protest coronavirus stay-at-home orders
Scores of protesters defying stay-at-home orders gathered in downtown Huntington Beach on Friday, rallying for an end to restrictions on businesses and public gatherings that health officials say are needed to save lives during the coronavirus pandemic.
Mobilized largely through social-media posts, several dozens of protesters gathered at Main Street and Walnut Avenue shortly before 1 p.m. The crowd grew to more than 200 people, according to police.
Many had signs, such as “Live free or die.” Some wore masks. The group periodically chanted “U.S.A” as some passing vehicles honked in support.
In a posting on social media Friday evening, Huntington Beach police said that while the protest was peaceful, it could have escalated into something more dangerous. Police reported no arrests.
“While the department worked to get enough resources there to manage the protest effectively, the people at the location began violating some of our local ordinances regarding public assembly including walking in the middle of the street and carrying signs with large sticks that could be used as weapons. Once we had sufficient officers in place, they utilized great restraint in dealing with circumstances that could have escalated into significant police action,” the police department’s Facebook post said.
Police were able to contact the organizers of the protest and eventually disperse the majority of the crowd without incident, the post said.
Nicole Brown, 50, of Costa Mesa, said she sympathizes with those who have the virus and understands why some might want to quarantine, but she believes it should be an option.
“Our freedom has been taken away from us, people are locked in their homes,” she said.
Some protesters leaned political; there were Trump banners. Others lamented the impact on daily lives, including a man wearing a Cowboys jersey and bandanna and holding a sign that said, “Save football, wear a mask.”
One protester, wearing a mock white CDC suit, held a sign describing the coronavirus as a “lie.”
Paula Doyle, 62, of Costa Mesa was one of the first to arrive.
She came out because she felt the shutdown was aiding in the widespread panic of the pandemic, she said.
“I just want to go back to normal,” Doyle said of the stay at home orders. “I don’t think there’s a reason for this.”
The rally proved peaceful, with officers wearing masks largely watching from the sidelines.
Officers around 3:30 p.m. asked organizers to wrap up the gathering. The organizers urged protesters to respect the request and thanked the police as attendees began to leave.
Some residents passing through the area during the rally disagreed with the protesters’ push to immediately end the stay-at-home restrictions.
“We really have to trust the process,” said Lance Siegal, a Huntington Beach resident. “We have to trust the medical professionals for the final say. They’re the ones who are seeing this on the front lines.”
The local gathering followed large-scale rallies earlier in the week in Michigan, Kentucky and North Carolina, as well as expected protests planned in Texas, Oregon and other parts of California.
The nationwide rallies have been spurred in part by conservative social media – primarily Facebook groups and postings – and talk radio.
Huntington Beach police had indicated that they would monitoring Friday’s protest. At least one protester – holding a sign and wearing a face mask – showed up at the Huntington Beach pier earlier in the morning, police said, but maintained an acceptable social distance from other people.
Health officials, backed by state and local leaders, say restrictions such as the statewide shelter-in-place order are needed to slow the spread of the virus and avoid overwhelming hospitals.
The restrictions have helped flatten the curve of infections, health officials say, saving lives. The restrictions have also caused a severe economic hit to businesses large and small, leading to record unemployment numbers.
Earlier this week, California Gov. Gavin Newsom outlined the criteria needed to modify or lift the restrictions and explore ways to reopen businesses and schools until there is herd immunity or a vaccine.
The White House has presented its own suggested guidelines for “re-opening” states, but has left the decision to individual governors.
President Donald Trump has repeatedly indicated his preference for quickly re-opening businesses.
On Friday, he offered an apparent endorsement of protesters in a series of all-caps tweets to “liberate” Minnesota, Michigan and Virginia, states where Democratic governors have faced demonstrations opposing stay-at-home orders.
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