Thousands took to the streets of many cities across California to demand the easing of restrictions to curb the outbreak of the new Corona virus, and to condemn the decision of Governor Gavin Newsom to close a number of beaches.
The demonstrations took place on Friday evening in at least 11 cities, including the capital, Sacramento, as well as San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego.
Some of the demonstrators carried American flags and banners reading "Freedom is necessary" and "Trump 2020" or "Scary newsome", expressing anger at the rules of unnecessary homes imposed to contain the outbreak of the pandemic.
The majority of the demonstrators, many of whom chanted "conquer California" and "freedom" or ring bells, did not wear masks and did not adhere to the rules of social distance.
In Huntington Beach, about 55 km south of Los Angeles, thousands of people gathered to denounce Newsom's decision to close local beaches.
"It was the straw that broke the camel's back," said demonstrator Monika Belhard, referring to the beaches being closed. Officials in Huntington Beach and nearby towns have vowed to fight the court’s beach closure decision, but a judge in Orange County that includes Huntington Beach refused to issue a temporary injunction banning Newsom’s decision, setting a date for a hearing on the issue on May 11. In central Los Angeles, hundreds marched in front of the city hall to demand the stay of homes be canceled, while protesters from the opposite camp waved banners and said "humanity first", while insisting that the closure is necessary to protect lives.
Newsom pledged not to bow to pressure, stressing that his decisions were made on the basis of public health concerns.
He assured reporters of his sympathy for the protesters, saying, "This disease does not differentiate between a demonstrator, a Democrat, and a Republican ... It is a disease that knows one thing and is its host."