A protester holds a sign in response to the closure of nonessential business in the state as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. Credit: Eric J. Shelton/Mississippi Today
Nearly 100 people gathered outside of the Mississippi State Capitol on Friday to support the state’s open carry law and to protest the closure of nonessential businesses.
Some of those in attendance were armed with semi-automatic rifles and handguns on their hips, and a few wore masks to guard against the spread of COVID-19. The protesters waved signs as they listened to small business owners talk about issues they have faced with their businesses closed. Sen. Chris McDaniel, R-Ellisville, and Rep. Brady Williamson, R-Oxford, expressed support for the protesters.
“We are not here to suggest that the virus isn’t dangerous, the virus is dangerous.” McDaniel said. “We are not here to suggest that people shouldn’t voluntarily make wise decisions on how to live their lives. Voluntary wise decisions: that’s what makes this country great.”
A few hours later at a news conference, Gov. Tate Reeves and the state’s health officer Dr. Thomas Dobbs used the latest data on the pandemic to warn Mississippians that the danger hasn’t passed. The Mississippi State Department of Health announced on Friday 397 new COVID-19 cases and 20 new deaths, both the most reported in one day. Here are images from that rally.
A protesters wears a mask as she holds a sign that says “faith over fear” during a rally about reopening Mississippi and open carry laws outside of the Mississippi State Capitol in Jackson, Miss., Friday, May 1, 2020. Credit: Eric J. Shelton/Mississippi Today
Demonstrators gather at the Mississippi State Capitol for a reopening of the state and open carry rally in Jackson, Miss., Friday, May 1, 2020. Credit: Eric J. Shelton/Mississippi Today
Protesters gather at the Mississippi State Capitol during a rally concerning the reopening of Mississippi and open carry laws Friday, May 1, 2020. Credit: Eric J. Shelton/Mississippi Today
Mike Land, owner of Family Barbershop, talks to a group of protesters about issues that he has faced as a result his business being temporary closed as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. Credit: Eric J. Shelton/Mississippi Today
Protesters listen as Sen. Chris McDaniel speaks during a rally concerning the reopening of Mississippi and open carry laws, at the Mississippi State Capitol, Friday, May 1, 2020. Credit: Eric J. Shelton/Mississippi Today
Sen. Chris McDaniel speaks to protesters during a reopening of the state and open carry rally in Jackson, Miss., Friday, May 1, 2020. Credit: Eric J. Shelton/Mississippi Today
A protester holds a sign in response to the closure of nonessential business in the state as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. Credit: Eric J. Shelton/Mississippi Today
Rep. Brady Williamson speaks to a group of protesters as he talks about churches being closed due to the coronavirus pandemic. Credit: Eric J. Shelton/Mississippi Today
Reopening of the state and open carry rally in Jackson, Miss., Friday, May 1, 2020. Credit: Eric J. Shelton/Mississippi Today
Protesters during a reopening of the state and open carry rally in Jackson, Miss., Friday, May 1, 2020. Credit: Eric J. Shelton/Mississippi Today
A protester during a reopening of the state and open carry rally in Jackson, Miss., Friday, May 1, 2020. Credit: Eric J. Shelton/Mississippi Today
Eric J. Shelton was a 2018 corps member in Report for America, and joined the team as our first photojournalist. A native of Columbia, Miss., Eric earned his bachelor’s in photojournalism from the University of Southern Mississippi. He was a multimedia journalist for Abilene Reporter-News, chief photographer for the Hattiesburg American and photo editor for the Killeen Daily Herald before joining our team June 2018. He rejoined Mississippi Today as our health photojournalist in January 2022.
