Raleigh, North Carolina police suspended the First Amendment Tuesday, dispersing a protest against the COVID-19 Chinese coronavirus lockdown and arresting one protester for failing to disperse. The police issued a statement declaring “Protesting is a non-essential activity” that was in violation of an executive order by Governor Roy Cooper (D) prohibiting mass gatherings.
Image of protesters via Raleigh Police/Twitter.
https://twitter.com/raleighpolice/status/1250111779574894594
I wanted to believe this was a joke or a hoax – @raleighpolice calling a protest a “non-essential activity” and arresting someone for speaking out against the state’s lockdown. But it is as real as Stalin. pic.twitter.com/d8Z0UqquIS
— Alex Berenson (@AlexBerenson) April 14, 2020
Some protesters gathered in their cars, honking their horns in unison at 15 minute intervals.
My educated guess is about 75-100 people now, with about half in their cars. Every 15 minutes or do demonstrators let loose with their horns. @ABC11_WTVD @ABC #abc1– @ABCPolitics #coronavirusNC #ReopenNC #StayAtHome pic.twitter.com/prKWSeSn3G
— Jonah Kaplan (@JonahPKaplan) April 14, 2020
Video of police ordering protesters to disperse under threat of arrest.
