Protesters gathered to demand Gov. Pritzker reopen the state economy and one candidate for office says frustration over his decisions related to the coronavirus pandemic are mounting.
Protesters gathered to demand Gov. Pritzker reopen the state economy and one candidate for office says frustration over his decisions related to the coronavirus pandemic are mounting.
Protesters this week gathered at the Illinois Capitol building demanding Gov. J.B. Pritzker reopen the economy, as a state representative candidate said some citizens are expressing frustration over the Governor's COVID-19 orders.
Approximately 150 protesters gathered this week and chanted, "Freedom Over Fear" and "Reopen Illinois" outside the Capitol while carrying sings reading, “Free Illinois,” according to the Week.com.
“I think people are looking at what is happening in states like North Dakota and Iowa and wondering what the benefits of these stay-at-home orders have been,” said Adam Niemerg, candidate for state representative for the 109th District, in an email.
Protestors at the statehouse.
He said states without full-scale lock downs in response to the coronavirus pandemic have not had dramatically different results.
“The states that did not do wholesale lock downs have not seen significantly different outcomes to states that went the other direction and enforced much more stringent restrictions,” said Niemerg. “It is important to look at all of the data – not just the data points that reinforce your worldview. The governor in his arrogance will not entertain a different point of view. We are told to just obey and comply.”
If Pritzker analyzed all the data and listened to vary viewpoints, Niemerg indicated the protests may not have occurred.
“Had the Governor been more forthright with information and had be been more willing to listen to differing points of view and had a more inclusive process – I doubt these protests would be taking place,” Niemerg said.
“He set the tone. People want to be treated fairly and they want their leaders to genuinely listen to their concerns. He has not done these things and so people are lodging their frustration and their dissent of what is happening in our state,” said Niemerg.
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