"Operation Gridlock": Thousands protest Michigan governor's lockdown order

Protesters were supposed to remain in their vehicles, but some did not

Published: April 15, 2020 5:50pm

Updated: April 15, 2020 7:00pm

Thousands of Michiganders on Wednesday flocked toward the state capital to participate in "Operation Gridlock," a protest meant to convey frustration with Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's strict stay-at-home order.

The protest was hosted by Michigan Conservative Coalition and Michigan Freedom Fund and was intended to create traffic gridlock, according to a Facebook event post calling conservatives to come out and protest

"People always say: 'Conservatives never protest because they are too busy working,' " the event posting stated. "Well, guess what. You’re not working – so it’s time to PROTEST."

Protesters were clearly instructed to remain in their vehicles, but not everyone obeyed.

Gov. Whitmer on April 9 announced an extension and tightening of a stay at home order.

The rally comes as some Americans are frustrated by restrictions imposed amid the coronavirus crisis that have crushed parts of the nation's economy.