Sheriff David Clarke Leads ‘American Patriot Rally’ and Demands Governor Whitmer to ‘Open Michigan Now’

Protesters converged yesterday at the Capitol Building in Lansing, Michigan to show their opposition to Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic in an event dubbed the “American Patriot Rally.”

Former Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke was one of the speakers and he addressed the crowd on the steps of the Capitol. He said, “My fellow Americans from the great state of Michigan, you have been lied to. My message is real clear to Governor Whitmer: Open Michigan now!”

Governor Whitmer hear this: If these demands continue to fall on deaf ears and if you continue to ignore the will of the people, they like the founding fathers, will be left with no other recourse than to ignore your pretend legislation.

Michiganders are being polite for now, but not much longer. My advice to the people of Michigan is to become defiant like the founders did of this great nation, like Rosa Parks did, like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

At another point during the speech, Clarke said, “How did they come up with this number of six feet? I think they just pulled it out of their rear-ends.”

Facebook had deleted the event page days before the rally, citing rules against defying social distancing orders, but that didn’t seem to have much effect on attendance.

President Trump tweeted out earlier in support of the protesters by saying that Whitmer “should give a little, and put out the fire.” He called them “very good people, but they are angry.” He encouraged her to “make a deal.”

The Governor of Michigan should give a little, and put out the fire. These are very good people, but they are angry. They want their lives back again, safely! See them, talk to them, make a deal.

The Governor of Michigan should give a little, and put out the fire. These are very good people, but they are angry. They want their lives back again, safely! See them, talk to them, make a deal.

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 1, 2020