Carrying American and Confederate flags, hundreds of demonstrators gathered Saturday for the "Kentucky Freedom Rally" at the Capitol building in Frankfort.
Organizer Lee Watts, a self-described chaplain to the Kentucky State Capitol, said the event was planned as a protest against coronavirus-related restrictions set by Gov. Andy Beshear.
He kicked off the rally by urging the few attendees who wore masks to remove them.
Sunshine kills COVID-19, Watts told the crowd, so the safest place they could be was together outside the Capitol.
"I'm encouraged to see all of you here today," he said. "When freedom is not protected, it is lost. It warms my heart to see so many freedom-loving Kentuckians here today."
Beshear had announced earlier in the week that he would not be in Frankfort on Saturday to hold his usual daily briefing — his first absence since the state's initial case was reported March 6.
But protesters said they still planned to gather at the Capitol, where they would demand that Beshear allow more businesses to reopen.
Ahead of the rally, demonstrators lined the steps of the building, where a bluegrass band played in front of the main entrance.
Several protesters wore military gear and carried guns, while others held signs that read "My rights > your fears" and "poverty kills too!"
Todd Calvert, 54, of Louisville, said he attended the rally because he felt like Beshear's actions have been "unconstitutional."
"He does not have the right to keep us from working and making a living, especially since he can't get the unemployment system fixed," the fashion stylist said. "There are thousands of people across the Commonwealth that are not getting paid these days because he can't get them paid."
Calvert and others at the rally said Kentucky's coronavirus outbreak has not warranted such lengthy closures of local businesses and public gathering places.
Jack Roberts, pastor of Maryville Baptist Church, has been one of the active critics of the closures, continuing to host in-person services each Sunday in Bullitt County.
He attended the rally to "express his desire to see Kentucky open back up."
Beshear introduced Phase 1 of his plan for reopening the state on Wednesday, with businesses like manufacturing companies being able to reopen May 11, houses of worship on May 20 and barber shops on May 25, so long as they follow public health guidelines.
Watts said he thinks Beshear's plan and orders have violated section 2 of the Kentucky Constitution's Bill of Rights, which states that "absolute and arbitrary power over the lives, liberty and property of freemen exists nowhere in a republic, not even in the largest majority."
"If any store can open using certain health guidelines, there is no reason that any other store cannot open using the same health guidelines," Watts told The Courier Journal ahead of the rally. "It doesn't follow the Kentucky Constitution, and it doesn't follow common sense."
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On Saturday, Lexington Rep. Stan Lee joined Watts on stage at the rally, expressing his anger at Beshear deeming abortion clinics as essential businesses, but not churches.
"It's distressing and disappointing that we have a governor that will shut down the state to quote save lives, then will veto the born alive bill," Lee said.
Protesters have already gathered in Frankfort on multiple occasions to object to Beshear's orders, including most recently on April 25.
That day, demonstrators also put pressure on Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron to rein in what they said was Beshear's grasp on the state.
Courier Journal reporters Ben Tobin and Joe Sonka, along with photographers Matt Stone and Pat McDonogh, will be at the Capitol to cover the rally when it starts at 4 p.m.
Follow courierjournal.com for updates.
Reporters Ben Tobin and Joe Sonka contributed to this report.
Reach reporter Bailey Loosemore at bloosemore@courier-journal.com, 502-582-4646 or on Twitter @bloosemore. Support strong local journalism by subscribing today: https://ift.tt/2SssNiX.
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