Shocking moment effigy of Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear is hanged from a tree outside his mansion by Second Amendment supporters during Covid-19 lockdown protest (5 Pics)

Protesters hanged an effigy of Kentucky governor Andy Beshear outside the state governor's mansion on Sunday.

A group of 100 people reportedly first gathered in celebration of the Second Amendment ahead of memorial day on Monday, and were meant to inspire people 'about what it really means to be FREE', according to 'citizen activist group' Take Back Kentucky.

The gathering, which started at the Kentucky State Capitol in Frankfort, soon turned into a protest against coronavirus restrictions and Beshear's governing administration.

The protesters carried guns and waved American and 'don't tread on me' flags, while free flags were given to military veterans.

But soon after the initial rally wound down, organizers marched protesters from the state capitol building to the governor's mansion, reportedly to hand-deliver a resignation request to the governor. 

A man is pictured hanging an effigy of Kentucky governor Andy Beshear in a tree outside the state governor's mansion on Sunday, May 24

Pictured: Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear speaks during a news conference at the state Capitol in Frankfort, May 11

A video has been shared on Twitter of two men stringing an effigy of Governor Beshear in a tree outside the mansion, in protest of the governor's coronavirus measures.

In the video filmed by Courier Journal reporter Sarah Ladd, a group of people, including children, can be seen watching on as a man wearing combat attire throws a rope over the branch of the tree. With the help of another, the man then pulls the effigy up so that it is hanging from the branch.

He then ties the end of the rope to another branch. 

In addition, protesters carried placards, some of which read 'My rights don't end where your fear begins' and 'Abort Beshear from office', while people changed 'come out Andy' and 'Resign Andy', according to USA Today.

One of the men who hanged the effigy was wearing a '3 Percenter' band around his arm. The 3 Percenters are an American far-right militia movement and paramilitary group which advocates gun ownership.

The group appeared split over the effigy, with one member - Patsy Kays Bush - saying she was against the hanging and did not want to tarnish the groups image, but added: 'However, we're at the point where rallies and shouting and hollering is just not working anymore.'

A sign was put on the effigy which said 'sic semper tyrannis,' which means 'thus always tyrants'.

The effigy remained hanging from the tree for a shot time as people took photos, but was soon cut to the ground.

Pictured: Crowds of people, including children, watch on as the man throws a rope over the branch of a tree on the lawn of the governor's mansion in Frankfort, Kentucky

After a couple of attempts, he is able to get the rope over the branch, before hoisting the effigy up into the air

With the help of another man, he ensures that the effigy is visible to onlookers and photographers, before tying the rope to another branch of the tree. The effigy had Beshear's face attached, as well as a sign that read 'sic semper tyrannis,' which means 'thus always tyrants'

The hanging has drawn strong rebuke from politicians on both sides of the isle. 

'As a strong defender of the First Amendment, I believe Americans have the right to peacefully protest,' Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said on Twitter. 'However, today's action toward Governor Beshear is unacceptable. There is no place for hate in Kentucky.'

Republican Michael Adams, Kentucky Secretary of State, called the effigy 'disgusting' on social media, tweeting: 'I condemn it wholeheartedly... The words of John Wilkes Booth have no place in the Party of Lincoln.'

A group of Democratic republicans -  Kentucky House Democratic Leader Joni Jenkins, House Democratic Caucus Chair Derrick Graham and House Democratic Whip Angie Hatton - issued a joint statement calling the effigy 'beyond reprehensible' and an action that 'reeks of hate and intimidation.'

Prior to the hanging of the effigy, people were outspoken during the protest against the state's coronavirus measures that are in place to slow the spread of the virus.

Tony Wheatley, another person also present for the hanging of the effigy and a member of Constitutional Kentucky, said 'We have a republic, if we can keep it,' while Pastor Cliff Christman said 'This has been one of the biggest shams in world history.'

'Grown men have been hiding in (their) homes nearly wetting their pants over this invisible enemy that nobody sees. Where is it at? Let it come out and face us. I serve the one true and living God who conquers all enemies. 

'Why should we give our freedom and our liberties up for such fear (and) propaganda and all the garbage that is coming out of Frankfort today?' he said.

On March 6, Kentucky declared a state of emergency, leading to a number of restrictions in the state to combat the coronavirus. A 'tentative' re-opening schedule was announced on April 29.

On May 22, restaurants were allowed to reopen with 33 per cent capacity and outdoor seating, while from June 1 movie theaters and gyms are allowed to reopen.

On June 11, campgrounds will be given the green light while child care, with reduced capacity can reopen from June 15.

Phase three of the state's reopening schedule starts on July 1, from which bars with limited capacity can reopen, and groups of up to 50 people will be allowed.     

On May 8, a federal court halted Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear's temporary ban on mass gatherings from applying to in-person religious services, clearing the way for Sunday church services, with guidelines. 

According to the New York Times, Kentucky has seen 8,842 confirmed cases of coronavirus, with 399 related deaths.