A rundown of the weekend protests.
On Friday, at least a thousand people gathered at Huntington Beach to protest the state-wide Stay-At-Home order. Multiple reports showed protestors blatantly ignoring social distancing measures and face-covering advice as they held about signs and American flags.
Huntington Beach rn… wtf pic.twitter.com/Y17IvzjwPJ
— TranceDuck 💕 (@F__U__Trump) May 1, 2020
WATCH: Large crowds gathered in Huntington Beach to protest the closure of Orange County beaches — which Gov. Gavin Newsom closed because of large crowds at area beaches. https://t.co/FuksIg1cmJ pic.twitter.com/QInDR5Dt80
— NBC 7 San Diego (@nbcsandiego) May 1, 2020
The general message seemed largely focused on their freedom and businesses, with signs saying “Stop the unconstitutional lockdown,” and others referencing Nazi Germany.
“Stop the unconstitutional lockdown.”
People on Friday gathered near Huntington Beach Pier to protest California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s order to temporarily close state and local beaches in Orange County during the #COVID19 pandemic. | via Kyle Grillot, Reuters pic.twitter.com/pkKdVyC0Nd
— ABS-CBN News (@ABSCBNNews) May 3, 2020
This all coincided with a rise in cases in Orange over the past week.
Despite the commotion on Friday, the beaches were largely empty on Saturday with most residents
“A helicopter began circling overhead, telling people that the beaches were closed under state order….A surfer walking toward the beach aimed his middle finger at the helicopter.” https://t.co/886OpZydDG
— Laura Ingraham (@IngrahamAngle) May 2, 2020
Ventura County praised residents for not crowding at beaches and for complying wit social distancing measures in place.
Ventura County Sheriff’s deputies were pleased to see that Hollywood Beach visitors were practicing physical distancing this weekend. https://t.co/dQCmKgTV8f
— KEYT NewsChannel 3 (@KEYTNC3) May 3, 2020
As did the LAPD.
This is what a ‘Safer At Home’ weekend looks like.
We know the weather is nice, and we know the beach is synonymous with Los Angeles, but the Mayor’s ‘Safer At Home’ Order is still in effect. So let’s be an example to others, and keep doing our part to flatten the curve. pic.twitter.com/ClRb42XJkS
— LAPD HQ (@LAPDHQ) May 2, 2020
There were also a number of smaller protests seen around California, such as L.A. City Hall and Sacramento. However, an Ipsos survey by the California Health Care Foundation shows that 75% of residents are in favor of the order and are willing to comply as long as necessary. Low-income residents showed even stronger support of it with 78% in support of the stay-at-home order.
Featured image: @TranceDuck via Twitter