S1E19: COVID-19 coronavirus in Wisconsin: Week six - protests and counter protests

On Friday, roughly 1,500 protesters gathered on the state Capitol grounds to demand an end to Democratic Gov. Tony Evers’ COVID-19-related stay-at-home order. Many attendees criticized the Evers administration for infringing on their personal freedoms and crippling the state economy.

Protesters carried signs with messages ranging from “Quarantine Tony Evers” to “Reopen Wisconsin,” waved American and Gadsden “Don’t tread on me” flags, and broke into chants including “U.S.A.” and “Bring back Scott,” a reference to former Republican Gov. Scott Walker — all while a convoy of vehicles circled the Capitol as part of the demonstration.

Some in the crowd carried firearms, some wore protective masks, and others wore attire or carried signs supporting President Donald Trump.

A few counter protesters were among the melee but an event was organized online to officially counter the in-person gathering and support Evers extension of the "safer at home" order to May 26. The original order was scheduled to end April 24. The socially-distanced, online counter protest drew over 10,000 attendees between Friday and Saturday. 

Support the show: https://madison.com/members/join/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.