Bill Glauber, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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| Demonstrators wave flags and hold signs for passing motorists on West Bluemound Rd. in front of Brookfield Square shopping mall on Saturday. The gathering was a protest of Gov. Tony Evers' decision to extend the stay-at-home order through May 26. (Photo: Scott Ash/Now News Group) |
Despite having their permit rejected by Gov. Tony Evers' administration, organizers of Friday's rally to reopen the state said they plan to move forward with their event on the grounds of the state Capitol in Madison.
"We're going to peacefully assemble," Madison Elmer told the Journal Sentinel Wednesday.
There has been a string of protests against the extension of Evers' safer-at-home order, even as most businesses and residents are following the governor's guidelines. The governor is trying to stem the coronavirus pandemic.
Elmer, who lives in Walworth, said she applied for the permit April 14 and received an email from the state Department of Administration Monday night.
She said the email stated: "Due to do the Wisconsin Department of Health Services safer at home order the permit request is being denied."
There are actually three events planned for Friday in Madison, with all of them set to start at 1 p.m. The group Elmer and others created plan to gather to hear speeches at the Capitol.
A group of business owners is to assemble in Waukesha County in the morning for a caravan to the Capitol.
And a third group, led by Ben Dorr of Minnesota Gun Rights, has called for a "drive-in rally, operation gridlock."
Asked how many people she expected to show up, Elmer said: "This is so hard to tell. It's a really hot topic and lots of people are passionate about it."
"We have a lineup of speakers that include a doctor, a nurse, a couple of small business owners," she said. "We have two farmers lined up to speak on how this is affecting their farms. We're also going to put out a call to action to encourage people to contact their state legislators and local sheriffs."
Bob Tarantino, a Realtor who is organizing the business owners caravan, said anywhere from "dozens to hundreds" could be participating in the drive from Waukesha to Madison.
"The business owners that I talk to on a regular basis, we're kind of all at the end of our rope with Governor Evers' order to keep the state shut down," he said.
Tarantino said it was important to open up soon because businesses are running out of money.
"We want to show support for our business owners," he said.
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