Residents Rally In Favor Of Rescinding Coronavirus Closures

TAMPA, FL — Hundreds of residents rallied Sunday afternoon in Tampa to encourage Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis to rescind his executive orders closing nonessential businesses, beaches and schools as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

Rescheduled from Friday when the Reopen Florida CARavan and Rally was postponed due to stormy weather, residents gathered in front of the Fox 13 WTVT news station at 3213 W. Kennedy Blvd., carrying handmade signs with comments expressing their frustration over the continuation of the April 3 statewide stay-at-home orders that have brought Florida to a standstill.

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Among those participating were high school seniors wearing their caps and gowns, uncertain if they'll be able to take part in time-honored graduation ceremonies to receive their diplomas. Joining them were residents still awaiting unemployment compensation due to the state's bogged-down system that's been unable to accommodate the overwhelming number of claims.

Led by a disc jockey riding in a Hummer followed by Tampa Bay motorcycle groups, the "CARavan" circled the block, honking horns and displaying messages scrawled on car windows and taped to poster board on car panels.

The event was sponsored Reopen Florida, "a group of like-minded people joining with the purpose of compelling Governor DeSantis to end the unconstitutional shutdown of our schools libraries, parks beaches, businesses, and economy and reopen Florida" and Florida Freedom Keepers, a coalition of civil liberties groups.

"I believe with my whole heart that it is critical for the nation to reopen, and not just the state," said 66-year-old rally attendee Dick Maxwell of New Port Richey. "Never before in history has something as Draconian as quarantining the entire population of a nation or the world for that matter been attempted or ordered. The insanity of this ludicrous thinking is demonstrative of the vacuum of leadership and courage that is necessary to command what must take place to preserve this nation."

"My husband's job relies on the stability of the market, and he's been out of work since the shutdown began," said GloriAnna Davis Kirk of New Port Richey. "We don’t qualify for any assistance and have three children at home. Nor do we want a government handout."

Kirk, who attended the rally with her entire family, said she feels the government's actions have undermined the U.S. Consitution.

"It is unconstitutional and a violation of our rights to force people to shut down their businesses, to force people to stay in their homes," she said. "My heart is broken for all the people like ourselves that have lost their livelihood and some their life’s work."

Kirk believes the coronavirus orders have put people at risk rather than protected them.

"Americans are intelligent enough to research the science that is out there and do what we can to stay safe," she said. "The measures taken are not keeping people safe — e.g., forcing the masses to shop in just a few locations and stripping people of their livelihood and independence. I believe that the solution is to protect and provide for the vulnerable and the rest of us return to work to protect and provide for our families."

She joined others at the rally, calling on DeSantis to reopen the state.

"If people don’t feel safe going back to work, or out to dinner, or shopping or traveling, they have the constitutional right to continue to stay safe at home," Kirk said.

Similar rallies have taken place throughout the state as small business owners facing catastrophic losses and workers laid off during the coronavirus shutdown have voiced their frustration over the continued closures.

In response to the call to reopen, DeSantis has created a task force to develop a plan to safely reopen the state.

“I'm not in a rush to do anything,” he said Saturday. “I’d rather do it right.”

He said he supports allowing elective surgeries and outdoor activities but isn't necessarily in favor of immediately opening sports venues, movie theaters and bars that will attract crowds of people gathered in close contact.

“Phase one is a very prudent step forward,” he said, adding that he is consulting public health experts on the best way to slowly lift restrictions.

“I am going to work today and all through the weekend about what we need to do and make sure we are doing it in a way that makes the most sense,” DeSantis said Friday. “It does not need to be any specific date. I think that if you do it right, then we’ll continue to build off this and get to a place where people can get back on their feet.”

The Reopen Florida Task Force has opened a public comment portal to give residents a chance to weigh in on how best to lift coronavirus restrictions.

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