May 01, 2020, 8:50 p.m.
May 01, 2020, 8:50 p.m.
Update: May 7th, 2020, 03:33 am
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Lansing/Washington (dpa) In the past few weeks there have been demonstrations in various US states against the restrictions imposed in the corona crisis. Now Michigan’s parliament is becoming the scene of such protests and turbulent scenes.
– Protesters are protesting in Michigan Parliament calling for the emergency services to be lifted.
During a protest against everyday restrictions due to the corona pandemic, armed demonstrators broke into parliament in the capital Lansing in the US state of Michigan.
According to US media, several hundred people gathered in the entrance area of the building, which is also the official residence of Governor Gretchen Whitmer. Partly armed, masked and waving posters and flags, they called for an end to the state of emergency in the state.
MPs met for a parliamentary session on Thursday. Right above me, men with guns are shouting at us, the present Senator Dayna Polehanki described the situation in a tweet.
Like other US states, Michigan has imposed far-reaching exit restrictions in the fight against the spread of the coronavirus. However, the Democrat Whitmer has to contend with increasingly bitter resistance from the Republican majority in parliament. The restrictions were initially set until the end of April, but were extended to mid-May last week. That still applies.
Whitmer also wanted to prolong the state of emergency, but could not convince the Republicans in parliament of it. On Thursday they finally signed an order to enforce such an extension by May 28th on their own.
Whitmer said some MPs believe the crisis is over. However, common sense and all of the scientific data said that was not the case. Republican MPs are burying their heads in the sand and risking lives by refusing to extend the emergency regimes. I won’t let that happen.
Whitmer is one of the rising figures of the Democratic Party and has recently been increasingly the target of attacks from the ranks of the Republicans, not only in Michigan, but also, for example, by US President Donald Trump.
He expressed his support to the demonstrators in Michigan. These are very good people, but they are angry, Trump wrote on Twitter on Friday. They want their lives back, in a safe way. The President called on Whitmer to talk to the protesters, find an agreement with them and put the fire out.
Michigan is one of the US states that allow private individuals to openly carry firearms. Certain places such as banks, churches, courts, hospitals or shops that sell alcohol are excluded – but not the parliament building.
There had also been protests in other states against measures to contain the corona virus – which Trump had also defended. His government has been pushing restrictions on public life for weeks, and the protesters clearly violated guidelines issued by the White House itself. Trump argued, however, that some Democratic governors simply went too far in their precautions.
Public life in the US has largely come to a standstill due to the corona pandemic. Depending on the state, different exit restrictions and restrictions apply to businesses and businesses. The situation has plunged the country’s economy into severe crisis and skyrocketed unemployment. That is why there are great efforts by Trump, as well as by governors, to gradually return to normal operations. The first states have already taken the first cautious steps in this direction. Other governors and experts, on the other hand, warn against hasty easing.
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