Michigan official says ANY protester brandishing a firearm should be arrested at tomorrow's stay-at-home rally set for the Capitol after Gov. Gretchen Whitmer received death threats
- Michigan Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey has said that anyone brandishing weapons in an intimidating way in the state Capitol could be arrested
- Governor Gretchen Whitmer has been the subject of numerous threats online
- Several groups have promoted acts of violence against Whitmer
- Whitmer is asking for people to wear masks and respect social distancing rules
- Between 200-400 people are expected at Thursday's rally
- Last month, angry and armed demonstrators protesting the governor's lockdown restrictions, stormed the Capitol building
Protesters in Michigan planning to rally at the state Capitol on Thursday are being warned that if they brandish firearms in an intimidating manner at the event they could be arrested.
The warnings come after several members of the groups planning on attending the rally called for the assassination of Governor Gretchen Whitmer which saw one man writing: 'Can we please just take up a collection for an assassin to put that woman from Michigan down.'
On Monday, Whitmer said she respected people's rights to protest but was becoming 'increasingly concerned about the violent nature of the comments being made' and the 'extreme rhetoric already connected to Thursday's rally.'
Michigan Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey, pictured, has said that anyone brandishing weapons in an intimidating way in the state Capitol will be arrested
Michigan Gov Gretchen Whitmer has been the subject of numerous threats made by residents of the state across multiple Facebook groups ahead of an armed rally planned for Thursday
A Facebook group, Michigan United for Liberty has billed the event as its 'Judgement Day'
She has requested that if people decide to protest that they wear masks and practice social distancing.
On Tuesday, Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey said that despite a longstanding rule that Michiganders with permits can bring weapons into the Capitol, 'anyone brandishing them in such a way as to intimidate or threaten anyone else should be properly handcuffed, properly taken in and fingerprinted.
'Law enforcement needs to take this upon their own hands,' Shirkey said. 'When those brandishing activities occur, they need to be addressed and I'm calling on the attorney general and the governor to do so with the cooperation of the Michigan State Police.'
There have also been suggestions that Michigan State Police will back up the governor's orders on social distancing and could hand out legal citations to those breaking guidelines.
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Hundreds of people descended on Michigan's Capitol building on April 30 to protest against Whitmer extending a statewide stay-at-home order
Last month, angry and armed demonstrators protesting the governor's lockdown restrictions, stormed the Capitol building. They have been warned not to do so during Thursday's rally
Protesters tried to enter the Michigan House of Representative chamber and were kept out by the Michigan State Police on April 30
'Based on previous demonstrations at the Capitol, it is evident that not all people voluntarily comply with the safety measures put in place,' said state police spokeswoman Shanon Banner to Freep.com. 'We will be prepared to take enforcement action, as necessary.'
Facebook has removed one of the groups called Michigan United for Liberty, which organized a rally at the Capitol last month.
A Facebook spokesperson said the group was removed because it violated the company's policy against inciting violence.
The threats come just days before a planned rally at the Capitol in Lansing on Thursday. Several members wrote in the groups that they will be at the rally and hope others will be 'armed to the teeth'.
A protester carries his rifle at the State Capitol in Lansing, Michigan from April's protest
Protesters carry guns outside the Capitol Building in Lansing, Michigan from an April 15 rally
The group are opposed to Whitmer's sweeping stay-at-home orders intended to combat the spread of coronavirus.
Hundreds of people descended on Michigan's Capitol building on April 30 to protest against Whitmer extending a statewide stay-at-home order and earlier in the month.
Earlier in the month, thousands of cars shut down traffic around the Capitol.
Photos from the 'American Patriot Rally' made headlines nationwide as many protesters were seen carrying assault rifles, swastikas and Confederate flags.
Whitmer called the scenes 'disturbing' and said they 'depicted some of the worst racism and awful parts of our history in this country'.
State Police say they are expecting to see between 200 and 400 people at Thursday's rally.
Several members of the group have called for the assassination of Whitmer ahead of Thursday's rally, with one man writing: 'Can we please just take up a collection for an assassin to put that woman from Michigan down'
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