Hundreds of protesters carrying '#FlattenTheFear' signs descend on the Jersey Shore to demand New Jersey Gov Murphy lift lockdown measures and reopen non-essential businesses(9 Pictures)
Hundreds of protesters have descended on the Jersey Shore to demand that New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy lifts the state's COVID-19 restrictions and allow non-essential businesses to reopen again.
A large crowd of residents from across the hard-hit state gathered at Point Pleasant Beach on Monday for the Freedom March of NJ to protest the ongoing lockdown measures.
Protesters carrying signs that read '#flattenthefear' and 'restore Constitutional rights' chanted 'reopen New Jersey now' and 'all businesses are essential'.
Some brandished signs in support of President Donald Trump.
New Jersey currently has more than 155,000 infections and just over 11,000 deaths.
Hundreds of protesters descended on the Jersey Shore on Monday to demand that Governor Phil Murphy lifts the state's COVID-19 restrictions and allow non-essential businesses to reopen again
A large crowd of residents from across the hard-hit state gathered at Point Pleasant Beach on Monday for the Freedom March of NJ to protest the ongoing lockdown measures
The state has so far only partially lifted its lockdown measures that were put in place in mid-March to stop the spread of the virus.
Republican Senators Joe Pennachio and two gym owners who opened last week in violation of the state's lockdown orders addressed the huge crowd of protesters.
'Thousands of people are strolling through Home Depot every day buying widgets and gadgets yet we're denying our small businesses the right to sell those same widgets and gadgets,' Pennachio said.
'Gov Murphy you took an oath to uphold the constitution under God. Gov Murphy, let my people go.'
Pennachio went on to take aim at officials who have urged people to wear masks in public if they can't social distance.
'It feels good to shake hands without masks again,' Pennachio told the crowd.
'There's very little science involved and very little common sense.
'Don't depend on government for your freedoms. Those freedoms as we speak are being denied under the guise of public health.'
Health officials last week shuttered a gym in southern New Jersey that reopened in defiance of the state order.
The owners of the Atilis Gym in Bellmawr said the decision to resume operations at the members-only facility was not about financial gain, but rather a question of Constitutional rights.
Protesters carrying signs that read '#flattenthefear' and 'restore Constitutional rights' chanted 'reopen New Jersey now' and 'all businesses are essential'
Some protesters wearing Make America Great Again hats brandished signs in support of President Donald Trump
The state has so far only partially lifted its lockdown measures that were put in place in mid-March to stop the spread of the virus
Some residents in the hard-hit state have said that the process to reopen has been too slow as other states across the country continue to relax measures
They had also cited several steps they took to ensure social distancing.
Murphy has said the decision to reopen the state in a phased out plan will be made based on data and scientific information.
Some residents have said that process is too slow as other states across the country continue to relax measures.
State parks and beaches have been allowed to reopen in New Jersey and Murphy said he hopes it will only be a matter of weeks before non-essential businesses can reopen.
On Friday, Murphy said that people can gather outdoors in groups of as many as 25, instead of 10, and Memorial Day cookouts could go forward if people keep their distance from one another.
Public and private campgrounds can also now reopen.
Indoor gatherings, however, are still limited to 10 people.
An alliance of 400 businesses have already said they plan to reopen in unison on June 1 regardless.
'As business owners and members we won't stand for our civil liberties and rights to be infringed on to be able to make a living and have a healthy immune system to defend against the virus itself!' the New Jersey Business Coalition Opening said on its Facebook page.
'We are making it clear we have been patient and we will no longer wait to open one more day beyond June 1st.'
People take part in a protest to reopen all businesses after some New Jersey beaches were opened during the Memorial Day weekend
A protester wears a mask of President Donald Trump as people take part in a protest to reopen all businesses in New Jersey on Monday
Gov Murphy has said the decision to reopen the state in a phased out plan will be made based on data and scientific information
Hundreds of protesters carrying '#FlattenTheFear' signs descend on the Jersey Shore to demand New Jersey Gov Murphy lift lockdown measures and reopen non-essential businesses(9 Pictures)
![Hundreds of protesters carrying '#FlattenTheFear' signs descend on the Jersey Shore to demand New Jersey Gov Murphy lift lockdown measures and reopen non-essential businesses(9 Pictures)]()
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May 26, 2020
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