On Wednesday, at least 250 anti-lockdown protesters gathered for a Thanksgiving meal in Oregon. The move came just hours after the Governor of New York State extended COVID-19 restrictions. The “Defeat the Steal Defy the Lockdown” rally reportedly included crowds from past pro-Trump events and members of the far-right Proud Boy group. Protesters were encouraged to bring dishes, such as turkey and pies, for a sharing buffet and were pictured sitting at rows of tables or under tents amid the afternoon drizzle in Salem. The Statesman Journal reported that one attendee, Geena Shipman of Springfield said, “The lockdown shouldn’t be happening. When businesses have to close, it affects them. A lot of people have worked their whole lives to build a company to support their family and they’re getting shut down because they can’t afford to stay open and that’s not fair”.
In recent weeks, there were several anti-lockdown protests took place in Oregon. Governor Kate Brown defeating a legal challenge from local restaurant owners calling for statewide anti-coronavirus measures to be lifted. The latest protests came only hours after Brown urged people to stay home for Thanksgiving as she announced plans to replace the state’s 2-week “freeze” restrictions with softer, longer-lasting measures. On Wednesday, Brown announced that the “freeze” in which restaurants were limited to takeout and other businesses are shut. It would be replaced by a tier system next Thursday. The US coronavirus data will be used to assign one of the risk levels under this plan, including extreme risk, high risk, moderate risk, and lower risk.
Oregon State Capitol protesters eat Thanksgiving meal, defy Gov. Kate Brown's 'freeze' https://t.co/tGHibjNtY4
— Statesman Journal (@Salem_Statesman) November 26, 2020
Point to be noted that measures for extreme-risk counties include restaurants and bars being limited to 50 customers for outdoor dining only. Gyms will remain closed and retail & grocery stores will operate at no more than 50% capacity. These limits are expected to continue until at least January 2021 and could be in place until a majority of the population has been vaccinated. Brown announced the changes and said, “Until COVID-19 vaccines are widely available, health and safety precautions will remain in place so that schools, businesses, and communities can reopen, and stay open. At every risk level, to prevent COVID-19 outbreaks, Oregonians must continue to wear face coverings, watch their physical distance, wash hands, stay home when sick and keep social get-togethers and gatherings small”.