Hundreds of demonstrators, a few of them armed, gathered in Lansing and many did not wear masks or socially distance. Police checked their temperatures before some were allowed intoo the capitol, where lawmakers were debating. 

Governor Whitmer extended her stay-at-home mandate earlier this month until May 15th. The protest was organized by Michigan United for Liberty. It called for state businesses to reopen on May 1 in violation of state orders.

One state senator said several of her colleagues wore bulletproof vests.