Hundreds are gathering outside of the Colorado Capitol on Sunday in protest of the state’s stay-at-home order aimed at preventing the new coronavirus from spreading out of control.
Streets around the building in downtown Denver were clogged with vehicles, many of them with American flags attached and passengers hanging out of windows waving signs.
“I care about the world my grandkids are going to have,” said Lois Helvie of Byers, pulling down a red mask with the words “MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN” on it to speak to a reporter.
Hevlie said liberty is at risk when someone can order people to stay in their homes. She said she wasn’t worried at all about the virus, comparing it to the flu.
In attendance of the rally was House Minorty Leader Patrick Neville, a Castle Rock Republican who has been critical of the restrictions put in place by Gov. Jared Polis in response to the coronavirus epidemic.
Many of the demonstrators were not wearing masks, a recommendation of Polis’s. They also were not distancing themselves from each other.
“Those participating are only endangering themselves and others by ignoring the stay-at-home order, and we urge them to stay home,” Conor Cahill, a spokesman for Polis, said in a written statement. “No one wants to reopen Colorado businesses and lift these restrictions more than the governor, but in order to do that, Coloradans have to stay home as much as possible, except for critical activities, wear masks and wash their hands to slow the spread of this virus.”
The coronavirus has killed more than 400 people in Colorado. There were more than 4,400 confirmed cases of the disease through Sunday.
Polis’ statewide stay-at-home order is in effect until April 26.
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