Protesters Head to California Beach to Push Back Against Newsom’s Stay-At-Home Orders

In the wake of California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s (D) extended stay-at-home orders, frustrated protesters have flocked to Huntington Beach to push back against the extension.

According to Huntington Beach Police Chief Robert Handy, approximately 2,500 to 3,000 protesters arrived at the pier in Huntington Beach, California, on Friday afternoon.

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Handy explained that the beach closure went into effect that morning. However, their efforts to enforce the closure were relatively light due to their lack of signage.

Protesters carried an array of their own signs and banners. Some of the protestors were heard shouting “No more Newsom” and “Freedom.”

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One of the demonstration organizers, TIffany Garcia, spoke with Los Angeles Times to explain the purpose of the protest, arguing their demand to reopen the state.

“We are moving to fully reopen CA now. Our First Amendment rights are being trampled on completely and we aren’t going to stand it anymore,” Garcia told the LA Times. People work their whole lives for their business and they are losing their businesses in a month.”

The protests came hours after Newsom’s press conference on Friday. Although there was a request to override Newsom’s closure of the beaches, a California Superior Court judge declined