Protesters rally against “stay-at-home” order in Indianapolis

April 18, 2020 – Indianapolis, Indiana USA: Protesters hold signs reading, “Fauci was wrong,” “Will not comply,” and hashtag, “Fake Crisis.” Protesters gather outside Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb’s mansion in the 4700 block of N. Meridian Street, to protest what they are describing as, “Government Overreach” as businesses, and institutions, continue to be shuttered during the stay-at-home order to combat the spread of COVID-19/Coronavirus in the state, Saturday, April 18, 2020 in Indianapolis, Ind. The protest was organized after protesters in Michigan protested earlier in the week. Similar protests have taken place around the United States, as Facebook pages, and websites, have popped up online. (Photo by Jeremy Hogan/The Bloomingtonian)

Hundreds of protesters lined the sidewalks of the street in front of Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb’s residence to protest against the “Stay-at-Home” order, which has now been extended to May 1. Most of the protesters were not wearing masks, nor did they practice social distancing.

At one point a chant began, “Six feet away, we will not obey.”

The protesters were already in front of the mansion by 2:30 p.m. for a protest that was scheduled for 3 p.m. and lasted until 5 p.m. Some protesters also drove past the protesters over, and over, honking, and waving flags.

A young woman held a sign reading, “Give me liberty, or give me COVID.”

The COVID-19/Coronavirus pandemic has now killed at least 545 Hoosiers, and 190 of those deaths were Marion County residents (Indianapolis is located in Marion County) according to the Indiana State Department of Health. However, two women were in a black car passing by the protesters with the message, “The Death Count is a Lie!!!” Others expressed that they wanted the Indiana governor arrested, and others called the pandemic a fake crisis.”

Police filled parking lots near the protest, which ended peacefully at 5 p.m. One counter protester passed in a car, at one point, and was confronted by a woman holding a sign reading, “Fauci was wrong.” And earlier, a man got too close to a protester holding a, “Don’t tread on me” flag and the owner of the flag, who was protesting against the shutdown, used its flag pole to keep the man away as they exchanged tense words.

Similar protests have been held across the United States since a protest earlier in the week in Michigan.

Another rally titled the, Rally for the Indiana Constitution, is scheduled for Monday in Indianapolis. The rally is being held at 200 W. Washington Street, and runs from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.