In the wake of California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s (D) extended stay-at-home orders, frustrated protesters have flocked to Huntington Beach to push back against the extension.
According to Huntington Beach Police Chief Robert Handy, approximately 2,500 to 3,000 protesters arrived at the pier in Huntington Beach, California, on Friday afternoon.
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Handy explained that the beach closure went into effect that morning. However, their efforts to enforce the closure were relatively light due to their lack of signage.
Protesters carried an array of their own signs and banners. Some of the protestors were heard shouting “No more Newsom” and “Freedom.”
Protesters shouted "No more Newsom" and "Freedom" at a demonstration in Huntington Beach today.
— Los Angeles Times (@latimes) May 1, 2020
Hundereds gathered to protest the stay-at-home order and closure of Orange County's beaches, both of which were issued by California's governor. https://t.co/sXEE9z111S pic.twitter.com/Xg70IqhTbi
NEW: Aerial footage shows hundreds gathered in Huntington Beach, California, to protest Governor Newsom's stay-at-home orders and beach closures in Orange County, many without masks and defying COVID-19 social distance guidelines as they blocked traffic. https://t.co/LTKYWFhdnU pic.twitter.com/2IdJXwDR6C
— World News Tonight (@ABCWorldNews) May 1, 2020
https://twitter.com/FarhangNamdar/status/1256474538512191489
One of the demonstration organizers, TIffany Garcia, spoke with Los Angeles Times to explain the purpose of the protest, arguing their demand to reopen the state.
“We are moving to fully reopen CA now. Our First Amendment rights are being trampled on completely and we aren’t going to stand it anymore,” Garcia told the LA Times. People work their whole lives for their business and they are losing their businesses in a month.”
This is insane.
— Read No Shortcuts (@JoshuaPHilll) May 1, 2020
People in Huntington Beach, California are risking their lives to protest beaches being closed.
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The protests came hours after Newsom’s press conference on Friday. Although there was a request to override Newsom’s closure of the beaches, a California Superior Court judge declined to do so.
During his conference, Newsom offered a brief statement to protesters warning them to be cautious, noting that the disease does not discriminate. Newsom also urged Californians to protect themselves and the people they love.
“This disease doesn’t know if you’re a protester, a Democrat, a Republican,” the governor said. “Protect yourself, protect your family, your kids, your parents, your grandparents, your neighbors.”
As of Saturday morning, there are more than 52,000 positive coronavirus cases in the state of California. The death toll has topped 2,000 in the state.
California Judge Nathan Scott has scheduled a May 11 hearing to reconsider the request for an injunction.