Nearly 100 protesters descended Thursday on the Statehouse in Columbus, Ohio in defiance of Gov. Mike DeWine's coronavirus stay-at-home order, claiming it violates their constitutional rights of freedom of assembly and freedom of religion during the Holy Week that precedes the Easter holiday. <br /> <br />Activists demanded the government reopen Ohio's economy and public spaces, despite warnings from public health experts that deadly COVID-19 remains highly contagious. <br /> <br />Most of the protesters stayed six feet away from each other, following the government's social distancing guidelines. <br /> <br />The stay-at-home order, recently extended to May 1, is intended to curb the disease’s spread. But Ben Shuler, a masked political activist carrying a semi-automatic rifle, told Zenger News that the restrictions infringe on his rights. <br /> <br />“The Democrats have come out saying the boogeyman is out to get you and, ‘If you give us your freedom we’ll protect you,’” said Shuler.
